Thank you, 2011

Here we are again, getting ready to usher in a new year.  I've heard many say bring on the new year because 2011 was so bad.  Others don't want to move on because 2011 was so good.  For me, 2011 was a year of growth...and growth isn't always easy but it is necessary.  It was a year ago tonight that I dedicated my year to looking to, and for, more than myself in all circumstances.  I made the decision to be more aware of what I could do for others by listening to and putting into action what I have been called to do.  It was about being ME...being what God made ME to be. 
Here's a little of what I learned and experienced in 2011:
I learned that when I focus on being a servant then the world around me becomes a different place.  I see people and situations differently.  
I experienced what an amazing ride life is when you truly put it in God's hands.  Ten years ago, I was RIF'ed from my first teaching job due to funding cuts.  I was pregnant and losing a job I loved.  But I had the deep desire to stay home with my new baby boy. So I placed my career in God's hands and just prayed that when the time was right for me and my family, I would be back in the classroom.  Exactly ten years later, I am back to teaching the exact same classes, at the same school.  He cares for our finances and will provide what we need when we need it....but it's on His time.  That's a hard lesson to learn and accept.  I will most likely always struggle with my timing not matching up to His timing. 
Speaking of time, 2011 also brought me and my family a time of loss and grief.  Saying my Earthly goodbye to my grandmother was difficult but I cannot imagine saying goodbye to a loved one without the faith and peace in knowing we will meet again.  I experienced the comfort and peace that passes understanding.
2011 brought many moments that left me saying, "Really?! God, I don't understand!"  But I am learning that it is not for me to understand.  It is for me to stay the course and trust. Notice I said, I'm learning.  This is ongoing and will probably always be a continuing education lesson for me.
Oh, continuing education! This brings me to my Masters Girls...and the lesson that God will give us the people in our lives that we need, when we need them.  I was blessed to enter into Master's classes with two ladies I had never met but we quickly became friends.  We are also sisters in Christ and were just what each other needed!
Everything I learned this year, I really already knew.  However, while I knew it, I wasn't truly trusting it.  I wasn't trusting in God's plan and promises.  So when I say that this was a year of growth, it was a year of growing to trust more.  Growing in the trust of what I know and believe to be true. 
Thank you, 2011.

Mary's Example

It's here! Christmas is here!...and almost passed for another year. The stockings were hung and full, Santa has made his stop at our house, and the last gift has been opened. The house has been destroyed and will take days to get back together but seeing my children celebrate Christmas is priceless.
When I became a mom, my thoughts of Christmas changed in several ways.  One change was that I suddenly thought of Mary more. I cannot imagine how she must have felt. Could you imagine having an angel appear to you? That alone would freak me out! But then to be told I was going to become pregnant and give birth to the Son of God! I just cannot wrap my head around what Mary might have been thinking and feeling at that moment.  Add knowing that he would save the world and seeing him suffer and be crucified, it would seem to be more than a mother could bear.  But Mary, sweet Mary, took on the role that God had deemed her worthy to fulfill.  When the angel appeard to Mary to fortell the birth of Jesus, he said, "For no word from God will ever fail."  And Mary answered, "I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.” 
As Christmas day is drawing to end, this is what I want to carry with me throughout the year....NO word from God will EVER fail.  Life will throw curveballs and situations will arise that will make me say, "Really, God??? You want me to do what??" But I have Mary's example of faith to keep me focused on being, and thinking of, more than me.
Merry Christmas and may you carry the spirit of Christmas with you everyday of the year.

Luke 1:26-38
²⁶ In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, ²⁷ to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
²⁹ Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. ³⁰ But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. ³¹ You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. ³² He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, ³³ and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
³⁴ “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
³⁵ The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called^[b] the Son of God. ³⁶ Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. ³⁷ For no word from God will ever fail.”
³⁸ “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

The Power of Your Voice

When I'm reading papers students have written or Facebook posts, I often hear the voice of the writer in my head.  As if they are reading to me.  When I noticed this happening today, I was reminded of a voice I "heard" a few weeks ago at church.  I was running the computer/projector this particular Sunday, so I had to pay close attention and be on the ball with hitting the arrow button to change the words to the songs as the musicians played and sang.  Otherwise, everyone would strain their neck to turn around and see who was screwing up.  We began the service and it was full of old hymns of thanksgiving....which I love.  I probably love them so much because I grew up singing them.  Most of those years were spent sitting next to my grandma and grandpa.  My grandma sang saprano and my grandpa had a voice as smooth a velvet.  Having not heard my grandma's voice for several months now, I was brought to tears when the congregation began to sing "Count Your Blessings."  It was as if she was sitting right next to me.  I could hear her voice in my mind, singing every note.  She had favorite hymns and this was one I remember her choosing to sing every time it was her turn to lead songs. 
How amazing that our voices have so much power!  The power to comfort us, encourage us, and strengthen us.  But with all the great powers also come the power to degrade, mock, and cast doubt.  Giving somone a compliment but with a sour tone to your voice will negate every word that you said. This made me think, how do I use my voice?  I don't mean by just WHAT I say, but HOW I say it.  Try complaining with a happy voice....your complaint will sound so much better than if you use a sharp, hateful tone.  The tone of voice that we use can stick with a person for years to come.  I'm going to try hard to remember this the next time I begin to raise my voice or have a negative tone.  I don't want that to be how my voice is remembered. How I use my voice is about so more than me, and I have to remember, and be concious, of the people around me that my voice impacts. 

 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger (Proverbs 15:1)
 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love (Ephesian.4:2).

Just a simple, little need...

My son is Charles Dickens in the school Christmas program this year.  I told his teacher I would work on getting his costume together but I must admit that the date of the performance has snuck up on me.  With just a week til show time, I set out today to find an outfit with Victorian English flare.  Not an easy task in our area!  Before leaving the house I prayed the simple prayer of, Dear Lord, please, please, please help us find what we need! 
Our first stop was at the local Goodwill store.  At first, their assortment of clothing was not looking too promising, but as I turned to look at the last row of kids clothing, there it was! The perfect suit coat...with pants and a tie! The color was a little bright but the style was perfect.  But would it fit??  Yes! The perfect suit, the exact size, and at our first store.  I was thrilled!  We were in and out of the store in less than 20 minutes with what we needed.
I prayed and petitioned my God for something very simple.  At one time,  I would not have considered this little need worthy of bothering my Sovereign God with.  But I am learning to lean on more than me for even my most basic, simple, and seeminly unimportant needs.  The need to find a costume is nothing compared to the need for food, or money to pay the power bill that others may be facing.  But it was my need at the moment and my needs, however small they are to me, are worthy of asking for help with.  I don't think God sees needs as "big" and "small" as I used to.  A need is a need, and all need is important to Him.  When we fully rely on more than ourselves to provide our needs, we begin to understand just how important our needs are to Him, and we recognize how He provides even our simplest of needs.

1 John 5:14-15

¹⁴ This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. ¹⁵ And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

Choices, Choices....

I have to admit that the craziness of this season gets to me each year.  So much to do and so little time to do it! But this year I have taken a step back and I am seeing that so much of me being so busy and stressed is brought on by my choices.  MY choices.  When I have sensed myself becoming overwhelmed and feeling like I can't keep up with the rat race, I have actually thought, " Life IS a rat race if you CHOOSE for it to be.  It's YOUR CHOICE!"  I can choose to be apart of every activity and committe, I can choose to search and search for the perfect gifts for each person in my life, I can chose to wrap every gift perfectly and with great care, I can choose what activities my boys will be apart of,  I can choose not to assign projects that take a lot of time to grade just before a holiday (took me too long to understand this choice).  The point is... yes, life can come at us at a hundred and forty thousand miles an hour, but we can make the choice to make a stop at a rest area anytime. 
Can you imagine being Jesus and having hundreds, or thousands, of people at a time wanting, begging, pleading, for your attention?  And we think we are busy and stressed!  But  I love His example of getting away....stopping at the rest area, if you will.  Luke 5:16 states, "But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed."  I believe He recharged, sought guidance, and talked over the happenings of His day with His Father.  He was then ready to continue on his journey.
While I still don't know how to say "no" very well, I am learning to make choices that help me and my family stay balanced in the rat race.  I'm seeing that trying to lead a life that is about more than me, means taking care of me.   I don't mean this in a selfish way.  I mean that by taking time to nourish my mind, my body, my soul, and my relationships I am able to give more of myself.  Daily quiet time with just me and my God makes it much easier to run the race.  Of course, a manicure every once in awhile, or dinner with "the girls", or even just simply watching a movie with my hubby after the boys are in bed help to slow the pace.  If you're feeling the stress of running the "rat race", are there any choices you've made that are making your race harder and faster? Are there any choices you can change?  Maybe it's time to cross four lanes of traffic to make an emergency stop at a rest area.

The trouble with being in the rat race is that even if you win, you're still a rat....Lily Tomlin

The Greatest Generation

This week marked the anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. When I think of Pearl Harbor, I think of my great-great aunt Sue.  During her last visit with our family, she told us the story of how she and some of her friends were detained in California after the bombing of Pearl Harbor because they were Japanese-Americans. They were college aged kids that had no idea what was going on. She told us of the encampments that the government set up to detain Japanese-Americans out of fear after the bombing. She then went on to tell us how she became an interpreter for the military.  She went on to work for the same government that detained her out of fears because of her parent's ancestry!    Actually, she was working the night the surrender from Japan came through the line.  When she was telling her story, I really could not believe she would serve her country after the way they treated her and so many others.  What a great example of the Greatest Generation.
The Greatest Generation served.  They served their families, their neighbors, their communities and their country.  They helped each other through difficult times.  They stood for their beliefs and values.  They also knew the meaning of work and were willing to give of their time to help their neighbors. Today, it seems to be much easier to write a check rather than give of our time that is flying by faster than we can keep up with.
Often I hear people say, "times were simpler then.". To that I say, maybe we could learn from the "old times". Simplicity seems to be unacceptable by some standards today.  Families are on the go so much that sitting down for dinner together becomes a rarity, let alone noticing opportunities to lend a helping hand to others.  I believe one reason that the Greatest Generation was so great is that they got what it meant to think of more than themselves....a lesson to learn from history.

Santa Fail...Almost

With my oldest son in third grade, I know my husband and I are not too far from no longer playing Santa....secretly. They will still get gifts and stocking stuffers from Santa when they no longer believe. They will just know who it came from.  As our boys have gotten older, it has been harder to hide their Santa gifts. This morning, as we were getting in the car to head to school, I realized my partner in Santa gift giving had not taken a gift out of the car last night! I quickly told my son to go close the garage door by pushing the button at the door because my car button wasn't working. When he got out of the car, I went into stealth mode and discreetly removed the gift from the car and hid it in the garage with some ninja-like moves. I was super excited that I had successfully hidden what could be the last true Santa gift for my sweet son. But then I heard a little voice telling him that I had just hidden the exact gift he asked Santa for. Thank you, little brother! I then went into defense mode and denied everything the little spy told his brother. It seemed to work but I now have to get the gift moved before we return home and I have two little boys searching the garage.
This made me think of what great lengths we go to to keep our kids believing in Santa. We will make up stories to explain why Santa won't be bringing a four wheeler. We read stories and watch movies about the mystical North Pole, Santa, and his elves....all the while knowing that someday they will know the truth. But do we go to equal lengths to make sure our kids believe in the REAL reason for Christmas? Do we share the truth of Christ with them with as much enthusiasm as we do when talking about Santa?

Philipian 2:8-10.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
   he humbled himself
   by becoming obedient to death—
      even death on a cross!
 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
   and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
   in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

In Him, Not Me

December is a month of giving...really,every month should be a month of giving but that's another post. There are so many ways we can give. Money, material items, and our time, are a few ways. Time is one that is usually the hardest to give up especially this time of year. December is an exhausting month most years. Between Christmas parties, family gatherings, and shopping for the perfect gifts added to the everyday hustle and bustle, we find the days flying by and our best intentions of giving our time are lost. I am like anyone else. There are days that I think there just isn't any more of me to go around! I am thankful for my gifts and abilities that allow me to help others. But when I find myself mentally, emotionally and physically drained, I find myself asking, who is going to help me?! Then I'm still and I hear the words, "Your strength is in me. I will give you rest." Before I know it, I have a day or a few hours of quiet that opens up in my schedule, or a day of just fun with friends or family, or a song plays on the radio, or someone says just the right words. He gives me the rest I need and the encouragement to my heart and soul that makes me see that in Him I am stronger than when I am on my own. Jesus often separated himself from his followers for "alone time." He spent this time with His Father, recharging and reflecting....we have this example of how to handle our weariness, stress, and frustration. Yet we just keep grumbling and working for ourselves and depend on our own strength rather than the strength of the one who created us to serve.
In Him, I am more then me.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. – Galatians 6:9

A Month of Traditions

My favorite time of year is upon us! There is just something about Christmas time that I love. The celebrations, the decorations, the family traditions, and spirit of giving...I love it all. Growing up, one of the many traditions we had was going caroling with our church each year. We would go around our small town caroling the older folks and then go back to the church or someone's house for hot cocoa and treats. The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!...gotta love the movie Elf. Another tradition we did each year was making plates of treats for the elderly and shut-ins and then delivering them. It was always so amazing to see the smiles, and sometimes tears, of the people who we caroled and delivered treats to. Last year, we brought back the caroling with a couple other families. We caroled around town. It was wonderful! Several people cried tears because a group of parents,with their herd of kids, thought to take a minute to stop by their house and sing a few Christmas songs at their front door. I will never let another December go by without caroling. It wasn't about signing pretty, it was about more than me. It was about letting the widows spending their first Christmas without their loved ones know that they were thought of. It was about letting the elder leaders of our community know that they have not been forgotten. It was about sharing our love of CHRISTmas. I challenge you to get involved in a tradition that is about more than you this Christmas. If your church offers something, great! If not, get some friends together and do something together.
My generation is the next generation to carry on the traditions of generations past. The traditions I remember and loved the most were about serving others. Today it seems we revolve around own little worlds so much that we don't have, or don't want to make time, for others. Christmas is about Christ and His love. Sharing His love with others is the tradition I want my boys to remember. What "more than me" tradition do you have? If you don't have one, this year is a great year to start one!

Psalm 63:3 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.

What's your mission?

I have heard preachers and inspirational speakers talk about working at everything you do as working for the Lord.  And I love the Steven Curtis Chapman song "Do Everything"...I believe.the lyrics are, "do everything you do for the Glory of the One who made you." I have thought before about my job and my husband's job as our missions.  We both do jobs that financially don't pay much in comparison to the work that we do, but the rewards within ourselves are more than most jobs that do pay more.  I am a teacher and he is a police officer.  More specifically, he is a crime scene investigator.  Both are professions that are seeing increased burnout rates. One study found that 1 in 4 new teachers will leave the education profession within 5 years.  And the rate of alcoholism, divorce, domestic violence, suicide, heart attacks and depression within the law enforcement community is alarming.  My husband meets individuals and families during extremely difficult and poignant times of their lives.  He works with guys that deal with the same daily struggles as him.  How he conducts himself speaks volumes to all of those around him.  I am making him a sign to put on his desk that says,"Seek Justice, Have Mercy, Walk Humbly with Your God."  This saying comes from the Courageous movie.  It can be a constant reminder to him of his mission.  I have verses about teaching, patience, and encouragement that I have on and around my desk.  These help give me focus on my mission to be a good example, an encouraging and compassionate figure in the lives of my students. So, what is your mission?  How do you stay focused on your mission?

1Timothy 4:12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

A Lesson inThanksgiving

This month I opted to join on the Facebook Thanksgiving bandwagon and post something I am thankful for each day of the month. I thought at the beginning, this will just make me be more conscious of what I have. As the month has progressed,I have found that actually taking the time each day to sit down and write about something I am thankful for has made me really think about my struggle I have with being content. I wish that there was a contentment pill that I could just run to the cabinet and take when I felt the feeling of discontent welling up. My quest for contentment will continue through constant thanksgiving. Seeing ways that God has blessed and touched the tapestry of my life brings so much gratitude to my heart and I am truly humbled by His blessings. I am sure I will still see the things that are "wrong" around my house, but I will be thankful that my house is dry and warm. I will remember that I have a home that many would love to have. Contentment through thanksgiving....lesson learned. Now to just remember this lesson the next time my boys come in covered in mud and I start thinking we need an all new house with a bigger mud room.

Mother Knows Best....Sometimes

We have a large bonfire party each year that is a lot of fun for our friends and for us. The week leading up to the party is a lot of work with not just getting the party necessities all in order but also getting the house and yard looking what is called "grandma clean" in our family. Grandma clean is a level of clean that my grandma Dot would clean. This level of clean requires a lot of scrubbing and total organization. In trying to achieve the level of "grandma clean," we require all hands on deck. So today I asked my son to clean the coffee table. Next thing I know, he's squirting the table with water using his water gun and wiping the table down. I immeddiately asked him what in the world be was doing! He looked at me with a slightly puzzled look and answered, "What you told me to dooooo." At that moment I realized that although his technique was far from what I would call proper, he was getting the job I asked him to do done. Would it be faster if he just wiped the table down the way I would have? Probably. But this was his way and his way was working too.
As a parent and teacher, I sometimes struggle with wanting my sons and students to only do things MY way. This can be discouraging for both me and them! I believe that being a good leader, whether as a parent, teacher, or even as a citizen, requires me to see that leading is about more than me and my ways. It is about guiding, and encouraging others even when I think I have a better way of doing the task at hand. When my way needs to be used, it is about sharing my way in a tone that is not demeaning or critical of others. There are times as a parent and teacher when my way just has to be the way that things are done but I'm going to be more aware of the times when my way does not have to be used....or even suggested.
When my sweet, 7 year old finished cleaning that table with his water gun, he stepped back to look at it and smiled with pride. Seeing that pride made this mother's heart happy.

Philippians 2:3-4 Do

BiRtHdAy SuRpRise!

Yesterday was my birthday.  While I'm far from being old, I am old enough and have had experiences that have caused me to be more reflective than ever before.  When my grandmother passed away in August, there were over 500 people that came to her visitation.  Seeing so many of her dear friends gather in one place made me think about how many times all of those friends dearest to her had been all together at one time.  This thought made me wish to have all my friends gather in one place at one time before I'm so old I can't remember it or at my funeral!  My sister, husband, sons, parents, grandparents and friends made this wish come true by surprising me today.  In a little over a week, my hubby threw together a surprise party at our house without me even knowing!  He even did all the housework and baked a special cake ahead of time.  But what topped it off was his thoughtfulness to cook a meal that included all of my favorite foods, most of which my grandma cooked for me every birthday.  This is a busy time of year and with such short notice, many of my friends weren't able to make it, but those that did made my wish come true.
God has blessed me with an amazing family that I love beyond measure.  He has also blessed me with the absolute best friends.  Being able to spend time in the presence of those that mean so much to me  was priceless.  Those at the party today may have thought they were there to celebrate me but really I was celebrating them.  I was celebrating friendships both old and new.  I was celebrating all the talks we've had over the years, the laughs shared, and the memories we've made.  I was celebrating the inspiration they are to me.  To all my friends, whether you were at the party today or not, thank you.  You remind me that life is about more than me.  And to my husband, your love still amazes me. 

“What draws people to be friends is that they see the same truth. They share it.”
― C.S. Lewis

Like Mother, Like Son

I've probably only been told a few thousand times in my life how much I look, act, and talk like my mom.  I don't see it.....ok, if I was honest, I would say that I do.  I can fool her best friend when I answer her phone.  Strangers in WalMart have asked me if I was related to her....so I guess there's no denying it.  My youngest son has heard "He looks just like his mom!" for most of his young life.  I guess being told you look just like your mom when you're a boy is worse than being a girl and hearing the same.  Last time someone said something about him looking like me, he pointed out that I'm a girl and he's a boy....in his voice that says "Hello?! Can you not see that we're different?!"
Regardless of how much we look alike, I hope I'm setting the example for my boys to be more than me.  Not that I want them to be more than me on a materialistic or career level...although I do have aspiration for them to be lawyers, architechts, or doctors.  But rather, more than themselves.  My prayer is for them to someday be humbled servants who see, and are fully aware of, the people and world around them.

 Mat. 25:35 For I was hungry and you fed me; I was thirsty and you gave me water; I was a stranger and you invited me into your homes; Mat. 25:36 naked and you clothed me; sick and in prison, and you visited me.'

Indiana Jones and a Ninja

Halloween has never been my favorite "holiday" of the year.  But I did always enjoy dressing up.  My sister and I dressed up until we were probably 10 yrs. old or so.  And I have to say, never dress your child in an apple costume with no arm holes.  They might just fall getting out of the car and not be able to get up! Yes, one thing my mom will never live down.  But I sure was a cute apple.  My mom spent a lot of time of making some of our costumes, like making yarn wigs to make us Cabbage Patch Kids and sewing ears and gloves to make us Mickey and Minnie. 
I have really enjoyed coming up with costume ideas for my boys over the last 8 years.  The year they were airplane pilots was probably my favorite.  This year I came up with the idea of them being Mario and Luigi since that's one of their favorite video games to play together.  But that didn't fly.  So then I came up with the idea of a rodeo clown and a bullrider on a bull.  But that didn't go over either.  Suddenly the fun of dressing up was gone because one of my sweet angels didn't want to go with the flow and just be what I wanted them to be!  And then it hit me, it's really not about me.  It's about them dressing up and having fun.  I sometimes struggle with letting my boys stray from MY plan for them. 

This reminds me that my plan for my boys should be to teach them to trust and follow God's plan for their lives.  Learning to let go of little plans like Halloween costumes, may help me be ready for the day when they are teenagers making big plans like college and career plans.  I will only be able to guide them, not force them. 
Just as God guides us but doesn't force us.  How great it would be if our kids would always do as we plan for them without complaining or wasting time! My pray will always be that they would seek God's will in all they do.

Now I'm off to help make their plans of being Indiana Jones and a ninja, reality.  Love my boys!

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

enCourage to Lead

Tonight my husband and I went to see the movie "Courageous."  Being in law enforcement, he got to go to a special viewing of the movie several months ago and said it was a must see for all fathers.  After seeing it, I agree but would say it's a must see for all mothers too.  As mothers we need to encourage fathers to be the father that God has called them to be.  While we are a team, he is meant to be the team leader and might need a cheerleader every once in awhile. I must say, I have been blessed with a man of courage and integrity....thank you, God!
Tonight also brought to mind what a Christian leader truly is.  A Christian leader could be simply defined as a "good shephard" as found in John 10:11.  A shephard guides the sheep to their destination while providing for their physical and emotional needs.  It's about thinking of the sheep and not just about yourself.  As parents, it's about focusing on your children's needs and recognizing when we're just "good enough."  It's about providing an environment that allows for growth, learning, understanding and encouragement to achieve a goal.  The same can translate in our professional lives.  I always keep in mind that Jesus took on the role of a servant and was the ultimate leader.  He knew it was about more than Him!

Drano for the Soul

Like a lot of women, I tend to shed my hair like a dog losing its winter coat.  My husband can't take any credit for clogging the shower drain with his flat top length hair.  But he is usually the one who puts on the plumber hat and declogs the drain.  His secret, a cup of Drano every so often.  It works to keep the water flowing evenly and smoothly.
I run through life trying to be the very best I can be. Lots of little stresses and "to do's" pile up and leave me feeling clogged and looking for relief. While I always remember the phrase "this too shall pass", I'm still looking for relief.  Relief for me comes through doses of friendship and laughter.  What is better for shaking lose all that binds us up than a good belly laugh?!
At least once a month, I get together with my girlfriends for a great dose of stress battling laughter.  "Drano" for my marriage comes in the form of dates which we try to do weekly.  Sometimes it may just be snuggling up and laughing about some of our "inside" jokes, or things our kids have said or done.  When you feel the need for relief, make the time for a cup of "Drano"!  Making the time just might prevent a flood.

Inspired by Proverbs 17:22....love it!
²² A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

We've got a runner!

My mornings lately have been mentally and emotionally draining.  My boys have been kinda like deaf snails...they seem to hear nothing I say, so I find myself talking louder and louder and repeating myself over and over. And they are slow as molasses! This morning I found myself saying "I'm ready to run away!" as I walked out the door.  I had the vision of taking them to school and as we were walking in the door, I took off running!  Only to hear "We've got a runner!" over the intercom and the parent police chasing me down and bringing me back to reality.....It was just a DREAM!
All day my thoughts would wonder to why my mornings have become so difficult and trying to think of a solution.  Sometimes there is just one answer, me. So as my grandma used to say, time to pull up my big girl pants!  I am the solution to my morning dysfunction....no one else!  In this case, it takes more of me.  I've become lax in laying out clothes the night before and making sure backpacks are all packed and ready.  And while my hubby isn't home in the morning, he is home in the evenings to help make sure the proper preparations have been taken to ensure we ALL have a smooth start to the day.
This also brings up the fact that I'm not always the best in asking for help....even from my partner in life.  While realizing that my morning routine is lacking more of me, I'm feeling there isn't much more of me to spread!....that's a whole weeks worth of blogs! LOL  Needless to say, I'll be discussing my need for help with my sweet husband tonight.  Oh, how hard it is to say the "H" word....HELP!

Psalms 121: 1-2  I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from?
² My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

OFMG!!

I haven't posted the last few days because when I wasn't busy doing something, I could be found laying in the recliner or bed.  The "crude" decided to pay me a visit and as always, it had bad timing.

Back in August, my walking partner, Beth, recommended starting the Couch to 5k plan so that we would be ready to run a 5k in our community on Oct. 1st.  With great enthusiasm, we started meeting at 6 am three days a week. I'll just point out that I am not much of a morning person.  I'll confess that I tried many ways to make the gettin' up and goin' easier....One time I even slept in my running clothes, got up, put my bra, socks and shoes on, and left.....didn't do that again cause I just felt too gross. haha!
Anyway, our group started out with 5 and would grow to 7.  The early weeks weren't too hard but as we began to run longer and physical pain would hinder me, it became clear that I needed more than me to reach my 5k goal.  Before or after we run each time, our group prays together.  And when the running gets hard and I want to stop, I remember I'm running to take care of this one body my God gave me....praising Him in my exercise.  OFMG....Only For My God would I get up at 5:30 am to go run!  But oh the lesson I would learn in reaching this goal!....it takes more than me!!  I needed my running crew to be accountable to and to encourage me!
Isn't that how life is!? We get wore down, burned out, and beat up.  But when we realize that it takes more than ourselves to get through the days, the burden eases.  Giving up our burdens to the God isn't easy! I'm an Indian giver when it comes to this. haha! But I'm getting better. I'm breathing easier and feeling stronger in the daily rat race when I remember it take more than me.

GO OFMG C25K CREW!!
-Neesa


Hebrews 10:24 says, "Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deed."

Here goes nothin'!

 At the beginning of 2011, I made a "resolution" to step outside of my box when I felt nudged by the little angel sitting on my shoulder.  Stepping out has been harder than I thought it would be.  Many times it has been fear that has paralyzed my body from acting on thoughts of other people and ideas, like this blog, that have popped up in my mind and placed on my heart.  Fear of what others may think or say has been the biggest shadow in my journey.  Fear can really sap the fun out of life and hold you back from doing amazing things! 
You know that little thought that pops in your head about a friend or the thought of doing something for someone?  That is what I've tried to listen to and act on more. I'll be the first to say, I haven't been the best at following through on those actions.  But this year, I have strived to change that and I've stood amazed a what He does when you put feet to your faith.
This isn't an easy journey we are on.  As a full-time working mom I am often frazzled and thinking, "You REALLY want me to find time for that, God?!" And the answer is "Yes. Yes, I do." My prayer is that you would be encouraged on your journey.  If just one is encouraged, my purpose is acheived.
I struggle daily with the balance of faith, family, and work.  But I am finding a great peace in focusing on more than me.
~Neesa