Alchemist

"To realize one's destiny is a person's only real obligation." 


"The man pointed to a baker standing in his shop window at one corner of the plaza. 'When he was a child, that man wanted to travel, too. But he decided first to buy his bakery and put some money aside. When he's an old man, he's going to spend a month in Africa. He never realized that people are capable, at any time in their lives, of doing what they dream of.'"


"The old man continued, 'In the long run, what people think about shepherds and bakers becomes more important for them than their own Personal Legends.'" 

I'm currently reading The Alchemist. I'm not very far (page 31 to be exact) but it's already making me think and ponder. 

Side note******The author of the book is Catholic so religion is important to him and he talks about God in the book but at the same time the book is like a fable. He talks about the Universe and "Personal Legends." So as a Christian I don't take everything he writes as something true or the way God wants things.

The first sentence I wrote..."To realize one's destiny is a person's only real obligation"......true? God has a plan for all of us, one specific for just you. So is that our only real obligation? Figuring out what God's plan is and then living it? It seems like a silly question if we believe God has a certain path for us. Because if he does then why wouldn't we follow it? But if you don't believe in God, then do you believe in destiny and fate? Is your obligation then finding your destiny? Or is your life what you make it and there is no such thing as fate or destiny?

For me personally, I believe we were put here for a reason. It wasn't by chance, it was by a creator; a creator named God. If He put me here and He has a plan for my life and knows me better than I know myself, then why wouldn't I want to find my purpose or path in this world? Can I be truly happy and fulfilled if I'm not living my God-given path? I don't think so......so I guess I agree with, "To realize one's destiny (or in my case God's purpose) is a person's only real obligation." If I'm not trying to realize it, then what am I living for? What other obligation do I have?

"He never realized that people are capable, at any time in their lives, of doing what they dream of.'" Is this statement true? I have a hard time with this one. Life isn't as easy as picking up and going after what you want. There's other factors that come into play like family and money and jobs and bills. I'm not saying that you can't reach your dreams but it may take longer than you'd like it to, to reach it. Maybe I'm just reading this statement the wrong way?

"The old man continued, 'In the long run, what people think about shepherds and bakers becomes more important for them than their own Personal Legends.'" 
I have to agree with this one. It's certainly not true for everyone but I think it is for a lot. We care more about what other people think of us and our dreams than about what we want.

What are your thoughts or ideas on any of these statements?

Forgiveness is for YOU!

God gives us many gifts but one of my favorites has to be forgiveness. Let me explain........

God gives us many rules to follow and for good reason. He is teaching us to live right and justly. God's greatest gift to us was His Son, Jesus dying on the cross for OUR sins. God wanted us to be right with Him! And then to receive his forgiveness all we need to do is repent and ask. There is no sin so bad, that can't be forgiven. The key is to repent and truly turn from your sin. God knows our heart better than we know our heart and he'll know if we are "faking" it.

There is one more part to forgiveness and that's forgiving others. Matthew 6:14-16 "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." It makes sense, doesn't it?! How can you expect God to forgive you when you are holding grudges against others.....? Mark 11:25 "And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."  


I know forgiving is NOT easy. It can be really hard to let go of the bitterness, anger, resentment, and hurt. And sometimes we don't want to let it go. We like the feeling for whatever reason. But the reason I love God's gift of forgiveness is because I don't have to hold onto those horrible feelings and I don't have to avenge the wrong done to me. Romans 12:19 (NIV) "Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord." 


When you forgive someone, you aren't "letting them off the hook". I think when we forgive someone we feel like we are saying it was okay whatever he or she did. But in reality you are freeing yourself from those horrible feelings of hatred, bitterness and anger. Eph 4:26-27,31 (NIV) "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold... Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice."  


"Corrie Ten Boom, a Christian woman who survived a Nazi concentration camp during the Holocaust, said, 'Forgiveness is to set a prisoner free, and to realize the prisoner was you.'"

Forgiveness is a choice and a choice you'll have to make many times. Sometimes you'll have to make the same choice over and over again. But with God's help and praying for the other person, you'll move on and experience freedom. Forgiving someone isn't for her but for you! Don't get stuck in those ugly feelings and bad attitudes because you are only hurting yourself.

A Little Perspective

Saturday's are big college football days in the fall. Definitely something that millions of people look forward to each week. Last night in one of the most tense and exciting games (ever possibly?), Michigan beat Notre Dame with 2 seconds to go! Everyone thought N.D. had it in the bag when they scored with 30 seconds to go. There's no way, N.D. can come back now, everyone's thinking.......well.....guess again. I like football but I don't go crazy for it but I'd have to say if that was Ohio State and they lost with 2 seconds to go, I'd be pretty mad too.

But here's where the story changes up a bit. A friend of mine has a boyfriend who is 1) a huge football fan and then 2) a huge N.D fan. So when they lost last night, she thought for sure he'd be mad. But when she turns around he's smiling........huh?!

He was talking to his uncle who had just went to a funeral for someone who had committed suicide. In the last couple months/years the uncle had been to more than enough funerals. Also 9.11 was the next day. He had told his nephew that things needed to be put into perspective. It was just football.

Just before I started writing this post I was reading our local paper. I'm not one to read the paper but today is a special day so I bought one. There were different 9.11 stories and stories from around the world and I have to say, a lot of it is depressing. The 9.11 stories hit home and I began thinking "What if" or "How hard-How sad" and so on.

Most of the news that is talked about is sad, depressing, negative and so on. That's one reason I had started this blog-so much sadness in the news. I didn't think I could take much more. I just wanted to close the paper and move on and then I remembered what my friend told me today.....Needing to Put Things in Perspective.....

Life is anything but easy and relaxed. If you aren't personally going through hard times, it's easy to forget that others are. But that's just it! Others are and they need our help. Our prayers. Our support, love and encouragement. Don't let the little or insignficant things in life, get you bent out of shape. Don't stir up trouble when there's enough as it is.

Our country will forever be changed but we still live in the most wonderful country there is! Let's not take it for granted.

God's View

"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." 1Timothy 6:17-19

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that." and " For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil." 1 Timothy 6:6-7, 10

I firmly believe that the Bible is God's Word to us and that God inspired the writers. "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17) I don't take His Words lightly. They encourage me, inspire me, teach me and convict me. 

In our world today it is so easy to get caught up in materialism and needing more stuff. I was that way......until I started going to church and reading God's Word. Until I started seeing things God's way. His word reminds us that we came into this world with nothing, not even clothes. We were naked. And when we leave this world we won't be taking anything with us. So why do we keep obtaining things? Why do we keep trying to have more and more instead of giving more and more? We won't lay up treasures for ourselves in Heaven by being selfish, but by doing good deeds and being generous and willing to share.

Money or wealth won't get us to Heaven or answer all our problems. You can't count on always having money but you can count on our Heavenly God to be there. He can answer all your problems. Maybe not the way you would like but he won't leave you or forsake you. "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'" (Hebrews 13:5)

Part II

Have you ever thought about why we are here? What's the world about? Were we an accident or did a Creator make us. (Obviously you know what I believe) If we are here by accident than what's the purpose of life? What do we have to live for? Is life just about taking care of your children, cooking dinner, running errands, having drinks with the girls......If there's no God than does that mean you don't have hope? I have hope b/c I know there's a loving, compassionate, caring God looking out for me. I know I can turn to Him when I need Him and I will be comforted and encouraged. 

World Changing Idea

The two greatest commandments in the Bible are:

• Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. (This is the first and the greatest commandment)  
•  Love your neighbor as yourself   

So here's where it gets tricky. Love-your-neighbor-as-yourself-...........What a concept! Really think about it for a minute..............or two..............or three...........or ten.............

When you want something you go out and get it, right....? When you're hungry you get something to eat. Whatever YOU need, you get for yourself. You would never let YOU, not receive something you need and sometimes even things you want.

We are so quick to meet our own needs but we hesitant when other's need our help. Or we don't give as much as we are able to. It's not our responsibility. We're only suppose to take care of ourselves. It's a dog-eat-dog world out there and I have to watch out for myself or no one will. We see these attitudes a lot in this world.

But what IF, we stopped looking at other people and started SEEING them. What if we started LOVING them like we love ourselves. Because we all know we love "me." The human race is selfish and greedy and thinks me a whole lot. I'm not saying there's not good people out there and that we don't help BUT we can't deny that if we all LOVED our NEIGHBOR as ourselves than this world would be in a much better place. And by neighbor I don't mean the person living beside your house or apartment. I mean the WHOLE WORLD. Every person, every country, every continent. No one is forgotten.

Does anyone else see how amazing this concept is? That if we met other people's needs as quickly as our own needs, then this world wouldn't be suffering so much. There wouldn't be as much violence and war. There'd be much more love and compassion and kindness. I could go for that!

Severe Drought

I know I haven't been on his blog very much anymore (really at all). I've been catching up on my reading and learning more about life in Africa. I recently read Ishmael Beah's book, A Long Way Gone-Memoirs of a Child Soldier. And another one about the Rwanda genocide that killed millions of Tutsis. And I'm currently reading one about a girl who was a child soldier is Uganda. I'm trying to learn as much as a can so I know how to help and to bring awareness to how difficult and troubling their lives are in Africa. Please check out my other blog A Compassionate Heart, Reaching Out. This is where my heart is right now. I'm not writing as much as I'd like but give me time. I will be.

Please check out my post today about the severe drought in the Horn of Africa. Nearly 13 million people are severely affected and need OUR help desperately. I donated to World Vision, would you please consider helping as well? Your gift will multiply 5X's! So even if you only donate $50, $250 is actually going over to Africa to help! Every little bit helps and makes a difference. Especially when many help=) One drop in a bucket won't fill it but thousands of drops will!

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus

Cancer, disease, death, all horrible things in our world today. For one family, Batten's Disease is the nightmare they are facing.  From Batten's website......http://bdsra.org/whatis.html

Batten Disease is named after the British pediatrician who first described it in 1903. Also known as Spielmeyer-Vogt-Sjogren-Batten Disease, it is the most common form of a group of disorders called Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses (or NCLs).

Although Batten Disease is usually regarded as the juvenile form of NCL, it has now become the term to encompass all forms of NCL.

The forms of NCL are classified by age of onset and have the same basic cause, progression and outcome but are all genetically different, meaning each is the result of a different gene.

Over time, affected children suffer mental impairment, worsening seizures, and progressive loss of sight and motor skills. Eventually, children with Batten Disease/NCL become blind, bedridden, and unable to communicate and it is presently always fatal. Batten Disease is not contagious or, at this time, preventable.

                Also.......

Batten Disease/NCL is relatively rare, occurring in an estimated 2 to 4 of every 100,000 births in the United States but no one really knows how many children there may be in North America or anywhere else in the world. The diseases have been identified worldwide. Although NCLs are classified as rare diseases, they often strike more than one person in families that carry the defective gene.

As I'm sure you figured out this is definitely a disease you wouldn't wish on anyone. However a little girl at my church has been diagnosed with this disease. I will never fully understand what Kate's family is going through. I can't even imagine how much this is affecting them and changing their lives. I mean I have some idea but not the whole picture. Kate's mom posted a note on Facebook the other day and I asked if I could post it on here. It's beautiful. I just wanted to give a little history so you know why she is in the pain she's in and what she faces on a daily basis. 

Last fall I attended a woman’s Christian conference and one of the speakers said when life is overwhelming and she doesn’t know how to handle a situation she says “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus”.  This brings her peace, comfort and strength.  When I heard this I thought, really, just saying that over and over and over again brings you peace?  How?  I was skeptical.  Not skeptical that Jesus can, does, or would provide peace but skeptical that just saying His name would provide it.  Don’t you need to pray and ask?  It took several months for me to test this idea.  I found myself in a very weak moment where tears were flowing, negative thoughts were consuming me and peace was nowhere to be found.  I needed to dry the tears and walk into the office looking professional, put together and avoid the questions “whats wrong”, “what can I do?”  People know my situation but I don’t want them to only see that when they see me.  I have more to offer than being the mom of sick girl and when I am in the office I need to prove that I can separate home life from work life.  Sounds harsh but it is reality.  If I walked in with mascara running down my face and tear stained skin they would only see the thing that consumes my every thoughts.  As I drove, I whispered “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.”  To my wonder and delight I found peace; tears stop falling.  Since that day, when I feel overwhelmed or find myself tearing up while trying to maintain a conversation with someone I whisper to myself His glorious name.  Each time I am given peace, strength and comfort.  Who knew it could be so easy? 

Over the last week, as we approach the one year mark of Kate’s diagnosis, the darkness I feel is once again overwhelming.  I am whispering often His holy name and searching for, praying for and expecting peace.  Tonight, as I drove with tears flowing I LISTENED to a song I normally only hear.  I allowed the words to speak to me.  I know that He sent them (the words) to me, to direct me and provide me with the reassurance that all I need to do is call on Him.  Whether that is by saying His name, praying, reading the Bible, etc.  He is there to comfort me in the darkness and He is the light that I see in my darkest moments.  Without Him this journey would be impossible.  So tonight I say loudly “JESUS, JESUS, JESUS.  Light my path, give me peace, and provide the strength I do not have.”

I share this with you so you can have the same peace I have.  He loves you!  He proved it when He carried your cross and died for your sins.  Shout His name, allow Him to consume you!

When I call on Jesus by Nicole Mullen:

Verse 1:

I'm so very ordinary, nothing special on my own.

Oh, I have never walked on water,

And I have never calmed a storm.

Sometimes I'm hiding away from the madness around me

Like a child who's afraid of the dark

Chorus:

But when I call on Jesus,

All things are possible

I can mount on wings like eagles' and soar

When I call on Jesus,

Mountains are gonna fall

'Cause He'll move heaven and earth to come rescue me when I call

La la la la la, la la la la la

Verse 2:

Weary brother, broken daughter,

Widowed, Widowed lover you're not alone

If you're tired and scared of the madness around you

If you can't find the strength to carry on

Chorus:

When you call on Jesus,

All things are possible

You can mount on wings like eagles' and soar

When you call on Jesus,

Mountains are gonna fall

'Cause He'll move heaven and earth to come rescue you when you--

Bridge:

Call Him in the morning', in the afternoon time

Late in the evening' He'll be there

When your heart is broken,

And you feel discouraged,

You can just remember that He said

He'll be there

Chorus (2x):

When I call on Jesus,

All things are possible

I can mount on wings like eagles' and soar

When I call on Jesus,

Mountains are gonna fall

'Cause He'll move heaven and earth to come rescue me (back to top first time, 2nd time finish with "when I call")

Come on, Come here

I have a very eccentric dog. I'm not really sure how he got this way? His name is Skeeter and he's about 5 lbs. Skeeter was the only black puppy and the runt of the litter. (btw he's a Pomeranian).

Skeeter goes through these moods where he's afraid to walk in certain rooms. Our kitchen floor is tile and we have a rug by the kitchen sink. He WILL NOT walk in the middle of the kitchen. If you put him down in the middle he will scurry to either the rug or under the table. Once he's on the rug he won't leave. You can call and coach but usually nothing works.

Today I put him down and he scurries right to the rug and won't leave his comfort zone. He has a thing for carpet, blankets and rugs. He does NOT like wood or tile floors. So today I'm saying "Come on, Come here" but nope. He tries to but is too afraid. He barks and I get agitated. We are talking about being 2 ft apart. For whatever reason this got me thinking.......How many times has our Heavenly Father said "Come on, Come here" but we are too afraid. Just like I knew Skeeter was safe and being irrational how many times have we acted like Skeeter when God is trying to get us to come to Him or even do something for his glory? When God is calling to us, is He getting aggravated like I was? And I don't want to give in or he'll never learn. God is probably the same way. He has to just wait or we won't learn or trust. Thank goodness he has more patience than I do!

Our Heavenly Father would never lead us astray so lets go wherever he asks us to. Lets trust him for those 2 ft and get out of our comfort zone. He will keep us safe and lead us to places we never imagined!

New Season

Last year when I started this blog I needed to stay encouraged and positive and have a purpose but after a year, life is different. I am slowly learning who I am and what I'm passionate about. My heart is burdened for those who have nothing and no one to help them or advocate for them. When I'm not working, I'm either spending time with God or learning more about developing countries and their needs or reading Freedom Writers and being inspired by them. (If you haven't read the book or watched the movie, I strongly recommend them both). 


There are many seasons in life and I have one season ending and another one beginning. I will continue to do this blog but not everyday like I was; which will be very odd for me. I will focus more on the other blog I started,  A Compassionate Heart, Reaching Out because that is where my heart and happiness is. 


I hope that you will continue to read this one and also check out my other one. I will warn you, I am very passionate about helping those who have less. I feel like I am extremely blessed and have more than enough to give but I am selfish more than I like. I don't mean to offend anyone, I just have a  hard time keeping all my excitement and willingness to help inside. In my opinion I believe most/majority of the people in the U.S. have more than enough to give, we are just selfish, including me. I feel that everyone in this world has the right to have all their needs met just like mine are met here in the U.S. And I also feel it is our responsibility, those who have more than enough, to help. Hopefully I have't turned anyone away......I mean well ;-)


Happy Memorial Weekend to all! Thank you to all the courageous military men and women past, present and future! You are so much braver and stronger than I ever could be. Praying for you all. 

Rain H2O

BOATING FUN AFTER THE RAIN

 PLAYING WITH NATHAN'S BINOCULARS

 GO, GO, GO

WALKING IN THE WATER

 UNCLE NATHAN SHOWING CAMERON HOW TO 

BUILD A BOAT AND THEN SAIL IT IN THE RAIN H2O

My 4 yr old nephew HATES getting dirty, dislikes bugs and is not a typical boy. He likes to be clean and wear shoes BUT after the rain storm Thursday, uncle Nathan (my hubby) said NO MORE! =)

Nathan had just gotten home from visiting his mom in Wisconsin and had brought back all his childhood toys. One of them was a parachute with a man hanging from it. Nathan went outside in his bare feet to throw it around. Cameron wanted to come out too but he couldn't find his shoes so he wanted Nathan to hold him. Nathan picked him up and then tried to put him down. Cameron was not having it. He tried everything he could not to have to put his feet down on the wet and dirty pavement. Nathan eventually won and from there the fun began. My sister lives next door so I had to call her and show her that her son was outside with NO shoes on and loving it! I also had to take pictures of the miraculous event and then had to post them on FB with the title "he's a REAL boy." LoL

Cameron ran in the puddles and kicked and threw H2O at us. He chased me up and down the sidewalk trying to throw H2O on me in his bare feet! (such an accomplishment for him) Then Nathan got the bright idea to make a paper boat to float in the rain H2O along the street curbs. Cameron LOVED it! It eventually got too wet to float anymore so we went back inside where soon after Cameron found the binoculars. All in all it was a very fun and memorable night.

365 days= 1 Year!

I MADE IT!

3,1536,000 seconds, 525,600 minutes, 8760 hours, 365 days, all equal to a year and that's how long I've been blogging!!! AND I've done it EVERY SINGLE DAY-not an easy task. I will admit there are days I took the easy route instead of coming up with something authentic but hey life is busy;-) I don't know if there's something I've ever done everyday for a year......(besides the normal life stuff like sleeping, dressing and eating). This may be a first!


It's amazing to look back to where I was last year at this time, so much has changed. A year seems long when you're looking ahead but when you look back it flies. Last May I was living at my parents since Nathan and I were still trying to figure out what we were doing. (We had left Florida in March after our job fell though). Nathan had found a job but I was still looking. I started attending church and bible study with my sister. This blog began because I was lost and trying to keep my spirits up while trying to figure my life out. I finally got a job in July, serving (which is the last thing I wanted, but still thankful for it) and then we moved out in August/September and living next door to my sister and her family. In November Nathan and I celebrated our 1st anniversary.  Holidays came and went and in February I got promoted to Front of the House Manager. Now here we are in May.


Doing this blog I learned more about who I am and what I'm passionate about. I didn't know this stuff last year. God has been working on my heart and showing me my desires. I've found that my heart bleeds for those who live in poverty and struggle daily to find clean water and food to eat. I'm blessed beyond belief here in the U.S. with so much to be thankful for. I'm by no means rich with money but I'm rich in love. For the last three years before I settled back in Lima I was traveling and didn't get to see my family much so being home with them is awesome. To see my nephew growing up and getting smarter everyday is such a gift and amazing thing to see. Finding a church where you're supported and encouraged is fabulous. I don't know what I'd do without the love from my church family.


For the last year I've been reading about life in 3rd world countries and it breaks my heart. The love and concern and compassion I experience daily in the U.S. is 100x's better than they do in developing countries. As women in the U.S. we have so many more rights. Life for women around the world is extremely hard.

• they walk miles one way to fetch water that isn't even clean
• can only feed their children one meal a day 
• don't have the opportunity to get an education
• are illiterate due to no education
• have to ask permission to leave their home
• the sons rule over their moms and sisters
• don't get to talk or have an opinion
• have no prenatal care/don't give birth in a hospital
• girls are not taken to a doctor when sick, only boys
• are married off at a young age and having babies while they are still babies
• are beaten and raped by their husbands and families
• are raped as a form of warfare
• are kidnapped or sold into brothels-sometimes by family members
• old women are left outside their village to die

This is just a few of the hardships women face in developing countries (Africa, Asia and Muslim). After reading about it, how can you NOT be thankful for your life here in the U.S.?


In the last year I've become more aware of my spending. I try to support organizations like Tom's Shoes, 31 Bits, World Vision, Convoy of Hope, CommonThreadz, or families adopting overseas. If I'm going to be spending money I'd like it to help people, not just supply my need or want. For my best friends birthday I gave her a list of organizations like these and told her to pick something. She picked shoes from Tom's Shoes, maybe you could do the same thing next time you need a gift instead of going to the mall?


Since 2007 I've sponsored a child through World Vision but I did it before I was married. Nathan and I have been blessed with the finances to help another child so we are now sponsoring a girl from Armenia together and then I still sponsor Bless from Malawi. Child sponsorship through World Vision is a wonderful way to give a child, their family and the community hope and a future. It's only $35/month and it makes such an impact. If this is something that touches your heart check out http://www.worldvision.org/


Most people make resolutions at the beginning of the year but how many keep them? I know I don't. But this year I heard about My One Word http://myoneword.org/ . Instead of making resolutions, you pick one word and that is what you focus on all year. My word was INSPIRE. I'm working on inspiring others and myself, to do better and be better. It's always bummed me out people who think they can't ever reach their dreams or that they have nothing to offer anyone or the world or that they are just "average." I want people to know that none of that is true, far from the truth! It doesn't matter where you come from, you CAN make a difference and be the person you want. It may not be easy but nothing in life worthwhile is easy.


When I started this blog I wasn't sure if I wanted to talk too much about Christianity and God because I didn't want to turn anyone away that didn't believe. But I soon realized that being a Christian is who I am and that my hope and encouragement comes from Jesus. He is my rock and I need Him! If I didn't have Jesus, I wouldn't have anything. Plus I can't NOT talk about all he has done for me.


This last year started out rough but has been an amazing journey. I can't wait to see what will happen in this next year!

Shine

Dull as dirt
You can't assert the kind of light
That might persuade
A strict dictator to retire
Fire the army
Teach the poor origami
The truth is in
The proof is when
You hear your heart start asking,
"What's my motivation?"

And try as you may, there isn't a way
To explain the kind of change
That would make an Eskimo renounce fur
That would make a vegetarian barbecue hamster
Unless you can trace this about-face
To a certain sign...

[Chorus]
Shine
Make 'em wonder what you've got
Make 'em wish that they were not
On the outside looking bored
Shine
Let it shine before all men
Let'em see good works, and then
Let 'em glorify the Lord

Out of the shaker and onto the plate
It isn't Karma
It sure ain't fate
That would make a Deadhead sell his van
That would make a schizophrenic turn in his crayons
Oprah freaks
And science seeks a rationale
That shall excuse
This strange behavior

When you let it shine
You will inspire
The kind of entire turnaround
That would make a bouncer take ballet
(even bouncers who aren't happy)
But out of the glare
With nowhere to turn
You ain't gonna learn it on "What's My Line?"

Reality Is

Reality is, we will have bad days. Some you can control and some you can't. Woke up this morning (I went to bed after 2:30) at 8:30 b/c my dog was going nuts and needed out, then woke up at 9:30 with cramps and back pain and stayed in bed til 10:30 but HAD to get up b/c I had a hair appt at 11, which was 20 minutes away. So I got my hair cut, came back home and tried to read and be productive but no go. As soon as I started reading my eyes got heavy and I was going to fall asleep. Ugh. My day is not going the way I want. Went out to the couch to watch a show on my DVR and drink my coffee. Shows over and now it's time to do my blog b/c I have to work at 4 and need to get it done before since I won't be home till about 1 am. I'm sitting here, thinking.....what should I write about.....BTW on Friday the 27th, it'll be one year since I started blogging and I've done it EVERYDAY! It can be kind of hard to come up with something everyday! Talk about commitment!

So.......I'm trying to come up with something and I am NOT feeling motivated or even happy. My day hasn't been horrible but I've gotten nothing accomplished and I feel like I've wasted this afternoon. Plus I still don't feel 100%. Anyone else have days like this? Silly question, I know. I really wish I had this day off (which I normally do) but I don't. Am I inspiring anyone right now? HA. 

I do have a point today and I'm getting to it. As much as we would like to have fabulous days, everyday, we won't. Life is full of ups and downs and just blah days at times. This is my blah day. However we do have the power to control how we react to these days. Or how we will change things around. I think one of the main reasons I'm feeling so unhappy is b/c I got nothing accomplished. There were things I wanted to get done and it just ain't going to happen before I have to go to work. For me one of the biggest things I need to learn is to accept what is. Today didn't go like I would have liked but I have to accept that I'm going to have those days. I need to regroup and move forward. My life is going to be He** when I have kids if I don't learn this lesson. I like things to happen when I plan on them happening. I don't want to change plans. Once my mind is set, I don't like changing it. 

We really control our moods and emotions by what we think. Our thoughts determine how we will act and react. Once I get done here I'm going to turn on KLOVE radio and take a shower and get ready for work. I won't be thinking that I got behind and I wasted my afternoon. Instead I will think that I got the rest that I needed to feel better and tomorrow is a new day. 

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

--Reinhold Niebuhr

A-Z

Life's Wonderful Things

A-Z

A: Art-pictures, poems, paintings, ceramics

B: blue skies and ocean blue H2O

C: Coffee and Creamer!

D: Dads

E: Early mornings spent by yourself

F: Forests

G: Gentle breezes on a Gorgeous day

H: Hammocks

I: Ice Cream on a Hot Day

J: Jokes that make you laugh til you cry

K: Kelli (me) LoL

L: Lyrics that become beautiful music

M: Moms

N: Naps when you're a grown up

O: Oceans

P: Playgrounds and Parks

Q: Quiet mornings spent with my God

R: Reading, getting lost in a book

S: SUNSHINE

T: Traveling to new Places

U: Uplifting words, music or acts

V: Verses of scripture 

W: Weddings and Weekends

X: Xmas (work w/me-not a lot of options)

Y: YOU, you are wonderful!

Z: Zealous love from God

Alone time, Yay!

In a couple of hours my husband will be leaving for almost 3 days to visit his mama up in Wisconsin. I'm totally stoked he gets to see her since we haven't seen her since October. And I'm totally stoked for some alone time=) However I will be missing Nathan greatly.........at times. Mainly when it's time to feed me (since I don't cook-it'll be interesting to see what I end up eating) and when it's time for bed; I get freaked out at night, my mind runs wild-not good. 


Does anyone else cherish their alone time? As a gemini I have the split personality (but not in a bad way). There are times when I just like to be alone. I clean better and I get more done and I can have MY music blaring. I just don't work well when others are around. Is anyone else this way? 


So some plans while Nathan is gone......haircut, cleaning, organizing, rearranging (just don't tell my hubby) and seeing how much stuff I have to sell. Thinking about having a garage sale. Also hope to get some reading and journaling in, well actually more than some. However, I seem to have an issue managing my time well though and I don't seem to get as much accomplished as I would like. Oh and I have a problem getting out of bed in the morning. That can hurt you as well. 


All in all my next 3 days are looking awesome and full. On top of all my plans I also have to work all 3 days, so it's even more important I manage my time well. How's everyone else's week looking?

This is the Day

A year ago today a high school friend lost her husband at only 29 years old leaving her and two young daughters and a good friend of my brother's lost his dad. Both were unexpected (in a sense) and tragic. You never know when someone you love will be taken away. Rian (who lost her husband) posted on fb today "In memory of my husband today, I ask that each one of my friends here on facebook to please take the time today and let people know that you love them. You never know what may happen. If you are married please spend time with your spouse. I can say from experience that the grass is NOT greener on the other side. I love you Aaron Griffith! Miss you terribly!


I know this isn't the happiest of thoughts or conversation today. However we get so caught up in living and day to day life, that we need to remember to take a break and celebrate those in our life. We need to tell them we love them and care about them. We need to refocus on what is really important. Today is a great day! Why? Because, This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it! Psalm 118:24 

Not the End

This question was on KLove's website and what a perfect day to talk about it........

http://www.klove.com/ministry/advice/

Question: "Is the end of the world really coming?" - Marie, NM

Answer: On the hearts of many people are the billboards and flyers people see with words that read something like this, "Jesus is coming on May21st." This campaign has raised a lot of questions. This is the one thing I do know; The time of the Second Coming is unknown. In fact, Jesus stated that only the Father knew the time. He told His disciples on the day He ascended: "It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority." (Acts 1:8, NASB) We are told in Luke 19 to, "Occupy till I come." Can you imagine if all of the energy we have spent trying to figure out when he is coming back was instead focused on getting the message of Christ's love to our world; just what kind of world that would be! Occupy means to live, to work, and to be a part of the community helping make it a better place. We have a great message of hope; share it with your neighbour and friend. My hope is we will focus on beginnings not endings in people lives and see just what the Lord will do.

What a thought.....instead of worrying when Jesus will be coming back, how about we spread the message of God's mercy and love and grace! Why can't we just trust God enough NOT to WORRY. Why do we need to know everything? I know some don't like the idea of the unknown but when it comes to God, we have nothing to worry about. So much time, money and energy has been wasted by every group that thinks the end is coming. There could have been an amazing impact on this world if all that time, energy and money had been used for God's Kingdom instead of freaking everyone out about the end of the world. 

From here on out, lets trust God and His Word and not worry. Lets spread the Good News of the Gospel and change people's lives instead of spreading lies and causing chaos. 

DaySpring

This is the day...
that you get to begin a new week.
This is the day...
that you're loved just as you are.
{1 John 4:18}
This is the day...
you have everything you need.
{2 Peter 1:3}
This is the day...
that victory is yours.
{Romans 8:37}
This is the day...
that God has made.
{Psalm 118:24}
There's never been one like it before and there will never be again. You're in this moment, time, place for a purpose and you've got what it takes to fulfill it.
So to say it like we do in the South... 
Go get 'em, friend!

by Holley Gerth, DaySpring Writer

What the Cross Really says to Us

Am I loved?
Am I wanted?
Am I worthwhile?
And the cross answers back...
You are loved, really.
{Psalm 103:11}
You're valuable, truly.
{Matthew 10:31}
You're chosen, always.
{1 Peter 2:9} 
The cross is the final answer on who we really are...
the exclamation mark at the end of God's declaration of love!

by Holley Gerth, DaySpring Writer

Happy Birthday

Today is Hripsime's 6th birthday! Who's Hripsime? She's the little girl we are sponsoring from Armenia through World Vision. Growing up I always had birthday parties with plenty of presents and friends and family to celebrate with. Today I'm praying Hripsime has the same. 


Please consider sponsoring a child through World Vision (or Compassion International, however I'm not very familiar with them) and give a child who has nothing, hope and a future.


Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version) 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.


With your monthly donation you are providing that child with an education, medical help, food and clean water, and a knowing that someone far away loves her and cares about her. 

James 1:27 (New International Version) ²⁷ Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Jeremiah 49:11 Leave your orphans; I will protect their lives. Your widows too can trust in me.

For those of us who are believers we have God's amazing love living inside us which means we have the capacity to love a great deal and to care about those that God cares about. There is such joy in helping a child receive the things that we receive in the U.S. without a second thought. You will forever change a child's life, their families life and the community. 

Check out the website for more information:

http://www.worldvision.org/content.nsf/sponsor/learn-about-sponsorship?Open&lpos=lft_txt_Learn-About-Sponsorship

A Little Goes a Long Way

I was looking at different non-for-profit sites today and one fact I read stuck with me......2 BILLION people don't have a toilet! That's about a third of the world! I had never thought about this before. I've always had a toilet, it's one more thing I take for granted on a daily basis. Can you imagine NOT having a toilet in your house? Maybe some of you have not had one but not me. I really don't want to have to leave my house to go to an outhouse. I mean, hello winters. Get all bundled up with boots on  just to go to the bathroom! Does this bother anyone else? I'm not sure why this is sticking with me and bothers me so much? I guess it's one more luxury I have in the U.S. 


Did you know there are over 6 BILLION people in this world and 3 BILLION live on less than U.S. $2/day! And 1.4 BILLION live on less than U.S. $1.25. Can you imagine? Go ahead calculate what you make in a day here in the states. Big difference, huh? I know mine far exceeds $2/day. So $2/day, 365/days a year.....$730. I'm sure most of us make that in 1-3 weeks and that's their YEARLY salary! 


Check out One Days Wages! All they ask is.......you guessed it....you donate one day of your wages. Pretty simple, huh?!

From ODW's website: http://www.onedayswages.org/about/our-vision

One Day's Wages (ODW) is a new grassroots movement of people, stories, and actions to alleviate extreme global poverty.

The numbers are staggering:

• 25,000 children under the age of 5 die each day due to poverty-related causes.
• Unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation cause 80% of all sickness and disease, and kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war. Nearly 900 million people do not have access to clean water.
• Nearly a billion people entered the 21st century unable to read a book or sign their names. 

The good news is that, there are already individuals and organizations around the world doing amazing work to alleviate extreme poverty. We're not trying to re-invent the wheel but rather to collaborate and partner with others. In short, ODW is joining them in the fight.

Consider the impact of your one day's wages...

 which is equivalent to about 0.4% of your annual salary. 

• $20 can provide clean water for one person for 20 years.
• $10 can purchase a bed net to help prevent malaria.
• $45 can pay annual school tuition for one child.
• $100 can provide a woman with a sewing machine and job training. 

Just think of the difference you could make with one day of your wages! And what if you did it once a month? Such a huge difference made in this grieving world.

When we pray to God and ask him for something, how do you think he answers those prayers? Does he come down and give you want you need? Does it just manifest right in front of you? No, he uses US-me and you, to answer those prayers. We are his hands and feet on Earth and we get to be a part of his master plan. We get to help those who are suffering, persecuted, neglected and unloved. When all you need is a friendly smile or a "How are you?" does God show up face to face with you? Or does he send someone at the right time to do or say the right thing? Ask God to use you where and when He needs you for his higher purpose. Isn't it amazing that we get to partner with God to make the world a better place?! I know I don't want to be on the sidelines watching all the miraculous things being done all over the world everyday.