Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Cleaning Out Closets and Cobwebs
Well, it has been some time coming, but I finally cleaned out my closet today. I have to thank my mom and Jen Thompson for the inspiration. Why do I do my best thinking when I am cleaning things out? I have these brilliant insights and then when I am finished.... they are gone - - - Poof! I did realize that I just have too much stuff. It felt good to put the items I have not worn in a year or more in the big, huge Hefty bag. I hope someone enjoys them as much as I did. I get a great sense of satisfaction seeing things all clean and tidy. So, when you look in my windows, please notice that all of my blinds are clean. Ignore the windows, it is still a little too cold to do those.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
You Should Be Dancin', yeah! Dancin', yeah!!!
[You know the song, sing it!]
Got back a few hours ago from Kylae's 1st dance competition. Wow is all I can say. Not only can my daughter dance, but everyone who had a daughter there, she can dance too. Oh, and the few guys who had the guts to compete- fabulous! It was an amazing day. I was so impressed. It is truly an amazing parental experience when you can see your children's hard work pay off. Her team got a 2nd place and I know they were disappointed, but it was a wonderful performance. I just sent pictures to my family as all proud parents do.
This feeling got me to start thinking, does God feel this way when we do something good? I bet He does! I am going to go to bed with that happy thought and figure out how to make God proud!
Got back a few hours ago from Kylae's 1st dance competition. Wow is all I can say. Not only can my daughter dance, but everyone who had a daughter there, she can dance too. Oh, and the few guys who had the guts to compete- fabulous! It was an amazing day. I was so impressed. It is truly an amazing parental experience when you can see your children's hard work pay off. Her team got a 2nd place and I know they were disappointed, but it was a wonderful performance. I just sent pictures to my family as all proud parents do.
This feeling got me to start thinking, does God feel this way when we do something good? I bet He does! I am going to go to bed with that happy thought and figure out how to make God proud!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Lacing Up My Boots
I just started to lace up my boots for this hike, Backpacking Through Joshua. You need to lace them up tight to start this hike. As I go on this journey, I have to remind myself not to run ahead and wear myself out. I can do that sometimes. I like to pour over maps before we camp and travel, so I know exactly where we are going. No GPS for me. I don't want to lose my navigational ability. This trek through Joshua will help with my "navigation through life" skills.
As I read Joshua 1, I was immediately struck with the Army commercial on TV, "Be All You Can Be." Couldn't they also easily put in "Be Strong and Courageous!"?? Reading the first few paragraphs makes me sit up a little straighter and want to study a little harder. I want to follow the law better and be strong and courageous. It also reminds me that God does keep His promises, but we do have to follow His rules. It has a lot of similarities to being a parent. It made me think that the Israelites were in "time out." It is not that they were not going to get the land the Lord promised them, they just had to wait. It reminds me of grounding my own kids. It is not that they will never get their phones back or never go out with friends. It is just that they have to follow my rules for those things to happen. I try to scare my own kids a bit when I ground them. I am sure Joshua was scared at that point, so I understand why the "Be Strong and Courageous" was in there.
Do you think as the Israelites got the news that they were going to finally cross the Jordan River that they felt like the guy who just won the Mega Millions lottery? I imagine that is how they felt! Like, Really? Now? Are you serious?! The willingness to move on is like submitting the ticket - - - Let's go now and make sure this is all really happening.
As I question God about what is keeping me from being able to do what He's calling me to do, I get an answer loud and clear - WORRY. I know God is faithful and I want to follow His will, but I get anxious and worried. It all comes down to timing. I have to remind myself that my timing is not God's timing. I have to go through the list of God's faithfulness in my head to remind myself that it all really does work out for the best, even if I don't realize it at first. It is like I need a Faith Maker, you know like a Pace Maker. I need it to zap me when I start to worry. A little ZZZZZZ and it will remind me not to worry and that it is all in God's hands.
I really like the word Faithful. I have a cousin named, Faith, so I perused the Bible verses with Faithful and I got a good feeling from them. I decided to look Faithful up on dictionary.com and the definitions included:
1. true to one's word, promises, vows, etc.
2. reliable, trusted, or believed
3. having faith, remaining true, constant, or loyal.
Just try putting some of those definitions in the verses and it works.
When I think about what made me decide to go on this hike, it is because I saw this as a great way to connect with God in a way that fits with all I do, but to keep me connected to real people. Plus, I have to admit that having Stacey put it out there was key for me. I know that I would not have found it on my own, so God used Stacey to point the way for me. I am praying that reading and studying Joshua will make me a better and more faithful follower. I get doubtful at times. I worry and get anxious. I get impatient, so hopefully this will be yet another example of God's faithfulness that I can add to my pool. I tend to read the New Testament over and over, so I am hoping to get reacquainted with the Old Testament by reading Joshua again.
God has been faithful to me/us in many ways, but I will only share two of the more current ones. The first is my husband's health. He was having some health problems that are genetic, but also made worse by stress. God was good in that He helped us find a good doctor and moved him to a job that is less stressful. His health has benefited tremendously. God was also faithful in sending me to Kenya. I was able to come up with the money [with a little help from my older sister]. Not only that, but God gave my Mom a last minute chance to go with me and she grabbed it. It may not sound like a big deal, but my Dad has Huntington's Disease. My Mom got her shots in a week and my younger sister agreed to have my Dad stay with her while we were gone for a life changing trip to the Mathare Valley.
As I go through Joshua in the next 6 weeks, I hope to grow in faith. I may still need my zap occasionally, but I'll take the zap with a deep breath and then say a prayer.
As I read Joshua 1, I was immediately struck with the Army commercial on TV, "Be All You Can Be." Couldn't they also easily put in "Be Strong and Courageous!"?? Reading the first few paragraphs makes me sit up a little straighter and want to study a little harder. I want to follow the law better and be strong and courageous. It also reminds me that God does keep His promises, but we do have to follow His rules. It has a lot of similarities to being a parent. It made me think that the Israelites were in "time out." It is not that they were not going to get the land the Lord promised them, they just had to wait. It reminds me of grounding my own kids. It is not that they will never get their phones back or never go out with friends. It is just that they have to follow my rules for those things to happen. I try to scare my own kids a bit when I ground them. I am sure Joshua was scared at that point, so I understand why the "Be Strong and Courageous" was in there.
Do you think as the Israelites got the news that they were going to finally cross the Jordan River that they felt like the guy who just won the Mega Millions lottery? I imagine that is how they felt! Like, Really? Now? Are you serious?! The willingness to move on is like submitting the ticket - - - Let's go now and make sure this is all really happening.
As I question God about what is keeping me from being able to do what He's calling me to do, I get an answer loud and clear - WORRY. I know God is faithful and I want to follow His will, but I get anxious and worried. It all comes down to timing. I have to remind myself that my timing is not God's timing. I have to go through the list of God's faithfulness in my head to remind myself that it all really does work out for the best, even if I don't realize it at first. It is like I need a Faith Maker, you know like a Pace Maker. I need it to zap me when I start to worry. A little ZZZZZZ and it will remind me not to worry and that it is all in God's hands.
I really like the word Faithful. I have a cousin named, Faith, so I perused the Bible verses with Faithful and I got a good feeling from them. I decided to look Faithful up on dictionary.com and the definitions included:
1. true to one's word, promises, vows, etc.
2. reliable, trusted, or believed
3. having faith, remaining true, constant, or loyal.
Just try putting some of those definitions in the verses and it works.
When I think about what made me decide to go on this hike, it is because I saw this as a great way to connect with God in a way that fits with all I do, but to keep me connected to real people. Plus, I have to admit that having Stacey put it out there was key for me. I know that I would not have found it on my own, so God used Stacey to point the way for me. I am praying that reading and studying Joshua will make me a better and more faithful follower. I get doubtful at times. I worry and get anxious. I get impatient, so hopefully this will be yet another example of God's faithfulness that I can add to my pool. I tend to read the New Testament over and over, so I am hoping to get reacquainted with the Old Testament by reading Joshua again.
God has been faithful to me/us in many ways, but I will only share two of the more current ones. The first is my husband's health. He was having some health problems that are genetic, but also made worse by stress. God was good in that He helped us find a good doctor and moved him to a job that is less stressful. His health has benefited tremendously. God was also faithful in sending me to Kenya. I was able to come up with the money [with a little help from my older sister]. Not only that, but God gave my Mom a last minute chance to go with me and she grabbed it. It may not sound like a big deal, but my Dad has Huntington's Disease. My Mom got her shots in a week and my younger sister agreed to have my Dad stay with her while we were gone for a life changing trip to the Mathare Valley.
As I go through Joshua in the next 6 weeks, I hope to grow in faith. I may still need my zap occasionally, but I'll take the zap with a deep breath and then say a prayer.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Warehouse Workout
Yes, I got my monthly Warehouse Workout yesterday at Costco. Costco, BJ's, Sam's Club, they are all the same. I know because at one time or another I have shopped at all of them. My calves are actually tight this morning from pushing a month's worth of food around in my cart. Ok, with a family of 6 maybe not a month's worth, but it feels that way. Even though I had to wait in line, I met the nicest people in line. It is like we are all on the same team and everyone chats like old friends. Why can't all shopping and driving be like that? I am on this blog early because I just got the notice that the Backpacking Through Joshua Week One is posted. Yeah!!!! I am very excited and will try my best to pace myself. I am actually hoping for a wait at the ENT's office today so I can get started. Say a little prayer for my daughter, Kylae, my 2nd. She has missed 8 days of school due to ear infections and is going back to the ENT today. Can anyone say "6th set of tubes?" Good day!!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Why/How does fuzz accrue on the bottom of my kitchen chairs?
Ok, so I am trying to regain a sense of order now that Christmas is over and I am doing my Spring cleaning now. I know it is not Spring and I really do enjoy Winter. I have time now so I am cleaning now. It has taken me 2 days to do my downtstairs. Is that unusual? I have found a number of interesting things, like the front of the remote control, an Indigo Girls CD, and a pistachio in the family room. My nails are shot, but I am wearing them like a badge of honor. So, when you see my chipped red nails, you'll know I have had my hands in buckets of water for 2 days. The cleaning must continue!!!!
Monday, January 3, 2011
How does Christmas fit on my dining room table?
I was all set to put Christmas away today. Everyone else has returned to work and school and I don't go back until Jan. 19. I suddenly got sad when I saw that Christmas pretty much fits on my dining room table. It seems bigger than that, doesn't it? I am putting everything in one place to pack it away until November. It seems so big when we start decorating and planning for it. I just need to make sure that I hold on to the spirit of Christmas and God's love for me!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Happy New Year!
As I head into 2011, I feel a good change coming. I know God will be working in my life. 2010 was a year of huge ups and downs, but I know it was for a reason. I am working hard at discerning at His will. We start 2011 watching our favorite college football team, PSU, and enjoying each other's company. Once we hit Monday, Jan. 3, we are back to our crazy hectic schedule with musical practices, dance competitions, and wrestling matches. Oh... and work. I know I am not alone in my craziness and I know others have lives crazier than mine. I have to think how true the saying, "You have to be present to win!"really is in my life. I am trying to be present.
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