Life on Purpose: I meant to do that

Three Things I am Grateful For (not in order, and not exclusive)

2009-08-18T22:01:00.000-07:00

I am grateful for my church:

where else can you make up for a missed breakfast with Starbucks pastry treats and a steamy cup-a-Joe with french vanilla creamer? mmmm. Where else can you yell nonsense at your pastor and have him respond? Where else are you guaranteed to hear at least one movie quote or see your pastor do the white man wiggle dance in every sermon? It really is a great place.

I am grateful for family dinners:

Stressful for sure, but the dinner table is where the best jokes are said, the yummiest food gets eaten, and manners are learned. It's where we reconnect, laugh, chat, and everyone leaves the table having learned something, even if it's trivial like that Mr. Ben's toots are in a class of their own. neat.

My bed:

So big, so cozy, so where I want to be, and really where I spend a lot of my time reading chapter after chapter of required and for fun reading. Most nights I can roll over and catch a glimpse of my man, but I no longer have to worry about him taking a midnight swing and punching me in the jaw on accident. Well, he SAID it was an accident.

What Are You Going To Do Next Year?

2009-07-24T10:39:00.000-07:00

This is easy.

Graduate,

Get laser hair removal as a graduation present (everyone can enjoy this present),

Take my family to Disneyland,

Start my master's program.

Why Didn't You Do It?

2009-07-17T09:27:00.000-07:00

There are a number of things in my life I SHOULD have done that I didn't. Everyone of them I think of, my reason is the same: I was scared.

Scared of the outcome, scared of what someone would say or think, scared of messing it all up, scared of getting in the way of the "real" work.

I think we get like this when we start doubting that God is really interested in using us- using our gifts. But, it's true. God GAVE us those gifts, not as a souvenir shot glass to be placed behind a glass case, but as everyday items to be used as often as God gives us the opportunity. So, what didn't you do? Why didn't you do it?

Where Would YOU Go?

2009-07-09T21:47:00.000-07:00

I was once given the chance to fly anywhere Southwest Airlines flies by way of a free plane ticket. I had three kids at the time, and I had just had Layla Grace a couple months before that, and really needed a get away. Because of my job, and Mike's job, I only had a 24 hour window to be gone. I had to make it worth it, and choose a place I could bring Miss Layla Grace along. I ran through my options:

Hot dog in New York.

Sunset in Hawaii.

Trolleys in San Fran.

Coffee in Seattle.

I finally settled on Reno. We still lived in Vegas at the time, and wanted more than anything to live in Reno. So, with tiny babe in tow, I flew to Reno for a visit with my oldest brother and his family. It was a perfect fit. I wouldn't have changed my destination. I will just keep those other ones on my list.

Through Their Eyes

2009-07-03T22:23:00.001-07:00

I cannot say for certain how my children see me; I like to think it's good though. They laugh often, so I think I might be funny. They dance a lot, so I think I might sing often. They apologize with ease, so I think I might do that-sometimes. They are randomly kind, so they must have gotten that from somewhere. They love healthy food and regularly ask for broccoli, so I must be a good cook. They beg to go to Whole Foods with me, so I must have taught them the importance of eating greens- or free samples. They are regularly found sleeping in the same bedroom together instead of the two other rooms we paid for with this house, so I must have passed on the strength of togetherness. They are willing to beat up any threatening force that stands against a sibling, so they must see the spirit of protection in me.
I don't know how they see me. They may never tell me in words. I will have to wait and see.
See how my sons treat their wives. See how my daughters raise their sons. See how each of my children faces adversity. See how long it takes each of them to hit their knees when evil rears its ugly head. In the meantime, I will do my best to set a good example. It's certainly a lot of pressure.

Daily Requirements

2009-06-27T17:11:00.000-07:00

Bathrooms (and usually first thing)

Bible

Snuggly surfaces

Books to read

My family (I enjoy the occasional break, but I really like all of them.)

Food

Cleaning (unfortunately, this HAS to be a daily requirement if we are don't want to live in a pool of ew.)

Summer Reading

2009-06-24T22:39:00.000-07:00

What are you reading?

I am reading:

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by JK Rowling

Through the Fire by Shawn Grady (written by a local fire fighter)

The book of Daniel, from the Bible, probably written by Daniel

Unabridged: The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus by Ann Spangler & Lois Tverberg

I can never seem to focus on one book. Too many times I am in the mood for one type of reading, and I hate feeling trapped. Of course, this way, it takes me a good 3 months to finish every book I ever read (except the Twilight series), but I seem to finish them all at the same time. Other books on my "Read Before I Die" list:

Biographies on Sam Adams, Abraham Lincoln, Patience Wright, Molly Pitcher, Ronald Reagan, and CS Lewis.

The First Days of School
Courage to Teach
and
Improving School From Within

There are about 250 books on my list, but these are a few.

You Know It's Summer When...

2009-06-20T11:52:00.000-07:00

Your senses kick into gear.

The smells of summer:

Campfires, sunscreen, coconut lime verbena from Bath and Body works.

The sights of summer :

The farmers market hustling and bustling in the streets of Sparks. In Reno, it means the church count goes down by about half.

The sounds of summer:

Constant child giggling in the cul-de-sac.

The touch of summer:

Grass on my toes, heat from the campfires, melted chocolate on my s'mores.

The tastes of summer:

Grilled food, hot dogs at the ballpark (the real deal Kosher dogs..mmmm YUM), and lemonade.

What tells you summer has arrived?

What does happiness look like to you?

2009-06-15T14:20:00.000-07:00

Happiness comes in all varieties. Sometimes, I will be in the middle of it before I know I am looking at it. It usually always includes all of my children and my husband:

Pajamas, popcorn and movie snacks, a movie, a few couches, home made-hand me down quilts, a husband and children.

Vegging in a back yard chair, brick patio, shade, straw hat, a book, a husband and kids entertained with something other than me.

And times I find I am happy without all of them:

Me, my guitar (Rosalie), abilities to play that I don't quite possess, and singing.

And with just my husband...well, I can't really mention those, but there are never children in that daydream, and I always picture us in a cabin in the middle of nowhere with only the crickets and the fireplace to listen to. Or my husband is sporting the straw hat, white tee-shirt, blue jeans, and tattoos whilst on the ride-along-mower. Oh dear. (fanning) I think I gotta go.

Summer Break

2009-06-13T22:58:00.000-07:00

I figure, since I have this here site, and my small group is over for at least the summer, I should take advantage and write about what happens inside of my head. I realize it is pretty much what I do on my other blog, but whatever. I have lots to say. I mean....LOOK..

I am watching Pretty Woman, which, I just have to say, is one of the most fantasy filled, but romantic movies. Of course it cannot compare with greats such as Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility, but who can compare with Jane Austen? Stephenie Meyer certainly is pushing my buttons with the Twilight Saga series, but there is still no comparison.
I already need a new series. Even if it is only to make me seem more sane to outsiders. In the last month, I have read all four books of the Twilight series twice. That's including the 12 "illegal" chapters of the fifth book, Midnight Sun. Sigh. For you fans, you just click on the link, and you get to read Twilight, but from Edward's point of view. I mean....LOOK.

Do-Over

2009-03-30T09:02:00.000-07:00

Remember when we were kids playing foursquare on the playground, and we hit the line or we were not quite ready when the A Square person threw out the first ball? We would holler that we get a do-over!! Sometimes I think I want my adult life to live that way.

So, now I am giving you the chance to join me. Maybe you started working on some project but stopped. Perhaps you made exercise your resolution but didn't make it beyond January 31st. Maybe you were gung ho about keeping a journal or blogging, but have fizzled out. Or, do you find yourself caught up in unimportant things so everything truly important falls to the wayside.

Declare a DO OVER and pick it back up. Personally, I have been working now, and forgetting to adjust my schedule to allow for food and exercise. That's my do-over. I am going to the gym. See you when I get back.

The resemblance is uncanny, isn't it.

Desires of The Heart

2009-03-28T16:23:00.000-07:00

Remember when the Bible tells us God gives us the desires of our hearts?

Well, look it up if you don't. I feel frustrated sometimes because God has given me so many desires, I don't know which ones to follow. Being a wife and mother are the most pressing, so I usually deal with those first, but what am I supposed to do with everything else? I mean, some of my desires may seem over the top, but they are reoccurring dreams, so I should listen to them right?

Anyway, am I the only one who gets caught up in the feeling that I desire more than I am capable of accomplishing? Am I using each desire to serve God? Am I taking the time to thank and recognize God when I get to experience things or actually GET the desires I have prayed so much about?

No. sigh. I guess I know where I need to start.

Here are a few desires I feel are from God:

successfully play a stringed instrument- guitar, piano, cello, whatever

serve my community through outreaches

raise my kids to be contributors to society

be a teacher in a public school

graduate from college

Feel like sharing yours? We won't mock you or hold you accountable to them unless you want us to.

Why I am Not Productive

2009-03-20T13:02:00.001-07:00

So, I realize it is Friday and not Tuesday like I predicted when I said I would post something new, but I discovered something about myself that I feel I should share.

I am not always so productive on the computer

There are a number of hours each week I must spend on the computer. They include work and play and both are justifiable. My problem is when I sit down to work, I check my email, my blogs, other people's blogs, turn on my iTunes, and watch or read anywhere from 2-4 unnecessary videos or articles before I even get to my work I originally sat to accomplish. What would have taken 30 minutes or 1 hour turns into a 2 hour ordeal. Today, as I was logging on to do my homework and check in with my online classroom, I checked two email accounts, responded, deleted old mails, checked comments on my blog, responded, sent an IM (to which I am still waiting for a response Erin Harrison), watched the video I had posted MYself on MY own blog that I have already watched, watched three more videos, and then came here. It has been thirty minutes and this is what I have to show for it. I laughed a lot; I am not going to lie. But, as far as accomplishments, there won't be any by the time my kids wake up from naps, because I won't have accomplished the intended accomplishments.

SO, are you this way with the Internet/computer? Come on. You can tell me. If you are, you can join me in cutting back. I love my laptop; I don't want him to feel neglected, but if I keep going the way I am going, my kids, house, husband, Self, school, ministries, and the rest of my life are going to feel neglected. I chose the rest of that list. Won't you join me.

Decide how much time you should realistically spend on the computer. Then, stick to it. Set a timer if you need to. If you are, like me, in school up to your armpits, set a schedule of when you will work online and when you will give your attention where it is needed most. This is a tough one for me. I like visiting you all so very much.

Sorry for the long time and no posts

2009-03-15T21:34:00.001-07:00

I am suddenly a working girl! Yikes, but thank you, God. I want to post something good and not just thrown together so you have something new to look at. SO, I will throw out a little challenge, and I will check back by Tuesday and post something significant.

CHALLENGE: Do something to take care of you. Something that makes you feel good and get a little further in your day. Pedicure, manicure, take a nap, go on a run, go to the gym, sit and read a book, sign up for a class and learn something new. You choose. Just do something for you.

I'd love to hear what you pick and how it goes.

Also, I don't know what this picture means, but it makes me happy.

Serving Others

2009-03-03T21:53:00.000-08:00

I have talked about this so much, but it's because God keeps bringing it up, and because I have a brother and a mother missionary who have taught me that servant hood is godliness. Not just next to it. My challenge to you all is to read these scriptures, then read them in your own bible, then underline them, then read them again, then do something about them. How are you serving? Who are you serving? Why are you serving? When is the last time you served? Are you still flying high from a missionary trip you did in high school, or a some time when you used to help out in the kids classes at church? That's great that you have those experiences to pull from, but don't stop there. Paul said our Christian lives are a journey. Are you stuck like a bump on a log? Get moving.

Deuteronomy 28:47 “Because you did not serve the Lord your God joyfully and gladly in the time of prosperity, there fore in hunger and thirst, in nakedness and dire poverty you will serve the enemies the Lord sends against you. “

Ephesians 6:7 “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men…”

Luke 22:26-27 But you are not to be like that. Instead the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

1Peter 4:11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Joshua 24: 14-15 Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods you forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.

Chili Cause it's Chilly

2009-02-17T15:24:00.000-08:00

Okay, so some of you have been to the house and eaten what I would call chili from heaven. Seriously, it's just delish. It is a recipe I have adapted from my mother's recipe who, I think, did the same thing with her mother's recipe.
If you are looking for a protein packed meal to stick to your ribs and make you feel snugly from the inside out, this is it. And cheap-did I mention my love for cheap meals?

You will need

1 pound of ground turkey (of course sub any or no meat)
1 small onion, diced small
about 1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large can of tomato sauce (or cook and squeeze those suckers yourself)
your favorite variety of beans (I usually choose the organic variety of black, navy, and kidney. You can choose one or even none. You decide.)
1 tsp. white vinegar (any vinegar will really do)
2 diced garlic cloves
salt and pepper, to taste
1 bay leaf
about 2Tablespoons chili powder
1 small can diced tomatoes if you choose (this makes it all a little too sweet for me, but it's a good filler)
Beef broth to bulk it up (if we have extra guests or are running low on food supplies, I add beef broth to bulk up the amount of food.)
1 small dash of cinnamon (trust it. just trust it.)
(optional) small, cooked, pasta noodles- about 1 1/2 cups

You will need to

Heat large pan over medium high heat. I use a 4 quart cast iron pot because it makes me happy. It's green, so the happiness is natural.
Heat olive oil, garlic, and onions until onions get slightly clear- about 2-3 minutes.
Add meat and brown until cooked fully. Obviously, if you are leaving the meat out, you skip this step. There is no need to stand at the stove pretending to stir the meat.
(At this point, some of you may want to drain your meat. With turkey, I never find it necessary.)
Add drained beans and seasonings. Stir and cook for about five minutes.
Add broth as you deglaze the bottom of the pan.

(Deglazing means you put a smidgen of liquid in the bottom of the pan and use a wooden or other type of spoon to scrape of the good stuff stuck to the bottom. You know, the food you sometimes want to lick off the bottom of the pan, but don't because they frown on it. This is the loop hole. DEGLAZE!)

Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, vinegar, and anything you have forgotten to add along the way. WAIT to add cooked pasta until you are nearly ready to serve as the juice gets sucked up in the noodles, and that makes for soggy pasta.
My husband likes to add crazy things like vegetables. It all seems to taste the same, so if you are looking for a way to add the greens, look for vegetables that can hold up in the liquid. If you use zucchini, for instance, be sure to cut the pieces small and add them late in the game.
Simmer on low for at least thirty minutes. (Honestly you can cut that time down, but the beans need time to heat up and cook properly to be super yum.)
Serve with salad, bread, and your favorite toppings. I prefer diced onions, grated cheese, and a dallop of sour cream. yum.

Practice What You Preach

2009-02-11T22:54:00.000-08:00

So, without getting into personal details, I was on a bit of high alert the previous few weeks over my health. We had a small unsubstantiated scare with some pain I have been experiencing. I finally made it to the doctors today, and even though they got my chart confused with a 7 months pregnant lady, made me pee for her in a tiny cup, weighed me in and stared at me in confusion for longer than I was comfortable with, they declared that I will not be needing further testing and my parts are "fantastic."
On my way home, I made a couple phone calls to people who have been praying for me through the waiting, and reported calmly that everything was fine. A little while later, as I was driving to school, it hit me that the results could have just as easily gone the other way. I was so busy with what was coming next in my day, I forgot to do the very thing I am reminding so many others to do.
In a way, it was like I was praising myself for not having a deadly disease and the doctor for not finding one. What?! How bizarre.
What am I so busy doing that I can't stop for a second and realize that God was just holding me, protecting me, asking me to notice how loving, caring, and worthy he is?
I noticed. I had to do a little backtracking and confessing, but I did it. Is there something you are forgetting to mention to the one who loves you most? Come on, you can tell me.

Let's Get Physical

2009-02-02T17:41:00.000-08:00

This picture never gets old for me. Makes me crack right up.

Anyhoo, how are those situps coming along? I have seriously cut out so much junk food I am not doing them nearly as often in a day. That is good, I guess, but I really want to be doing situps to work on this belly o'mine. (That's Irish for chubs). SO, I am throwing out a challenge to all who come near this place.

MOVE!! That's it. My challenge to you is to move. Take the dog for walk. Do situps even if you don't eat junk food. Do twenty jumping jacks (bet you can't; those things are killer!!) Jump rope to one whole song. Go to the gym, or run up and down your stairs twenty times. Just do something that gets your ticker ticking and those pits sweaty.

So many times we are too exhausted to work out, but many times it's because we aren't working out, so we are exhausted. Dizzy yet? Stick around. It's like that around here.
In the very wise words of Rob Schneider, "YOU CAN DO IT!!"

Don't Tell Me NO!

2009-01-29T23:04:00.000-08:00

As a mother, you never want to hear your kid tell you NO. As adults, we get tired of saying NO to people, or maybe you are the kind of person who doesn't say it enough. Whatever your relationship with this word, forget about it! From this day forward, decide you are no longer going to tell yourself no. (DISCLAIMER: Some exceptions apply. Please see the common sense part of your brain to see what these are.)

For any of you who have even thought the word diet or thrown around the phrase "healthy lifestyle," you know how quickly your rebellious bone steps up the second you commit to anything having to do with those words. That is how it is for me. The second I say "no sweets" or "no pop" (that's soda for all you weirdies) or I determine to stick to a structured diet or menu, I am hosed. That little guy on my shoulder suddenly sprouts prongs that seem to thrust me toward the very things I am hoping to avoid. Well, no more no!

Rather than take away all the happiness involved in my food, I am going to focus each week on adding something new to my daily diet. Soon, I will be so full of the right stuff, I won't have room for the indulgences. When I want a piece of cake or treats at the movie, I know I am not going to need to stuff myself, because those things are not off limits. I don't have to wait a week and gorge myself on junk on a "free day" as part of a diet plan. Trust me when I say I can make up for a week's worth of junk food in a single Sunday. It isn't pretty.

This week, I am adding more water to my days. You should too. Every time you go to drink something like a cup of coffee, a tea with lunch, a liter of cola (just trying to mix things up here) drink one 8 oz. cup of water first. OR try drinking ONLY water with meals. Save your special drinks for between meals.

JOY

2009-01-25T23:13:00.000-08:00

Did you find any this week?

My guess is, if you even cracked open that book, you were faced with everything BUT joy. I knew it was going to happen, but I still felt a little blind sighted. This next week, I am hoping for smoother days, but I am not scared. I can take it. Actually, God can take it; I don't need to. I just have to be willing to:

Focus on God,
Turn to my Bible consistently,
choose my moves carefully (kiss my husband rather than kick him as he goes by),
Trust that God is my healer, is up to something great, and loves me,
show that love to others, no matter what,
turn over those issues at every step no matter how many times I have to do it!

I don't mention any of those things lightly. I have my work cut out for me this week. How about you? Anything come up this week that you want to share? Any joy robbers lurking? Any challenges this week?

Brusha Brusha Brusha, It's Candy for Your Teeth

2009-01-20T14:12:00.000-08:00

So, you might log on here and think I am giving the silliest advice if I am recommending you brush your teeth, but I REALLY am recommending you brush your teeth! Here is what I mean. Each night, I tend to get bored and convince myself I am hungry. I began to realize that if I brush and floss my teeth earlier in the night, I don't eat unless I am really hungry and willing to RE-brush my teeth. As soon as I tuck in my kids, well after I have eaten dinner and probably had a snack, I make my way to the bathroom to brush and floss.
This technique has saved me from doing extra sit ups because if I am munching at night, it is usually junk food and not healthy snacks I am eating. Try it, and let me know what you do to cut back on snacking when you aren't really hungry.

On the First Day of Bible Study (are you singing?)

2009-01-19T15:10:00.000-08:00

(This may be a repeat for a few of you. If you don't want to read it again, go do some situps!)
Read Psalm 19:1-2. Read Genesis 1:1-5.

"The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known."

Darkness is:
a hiding place
quiet. silent.
scary.
mysterious.
unknown.
luring.
continuous until you allow the LIGHT to change you.

We find light in the stars. They are what brings the joy in the night. We find light in the moon. The moon, the stars, and the street lights shed light into the dark night. What are you looking to to shed joyful light into your dark night? Is it artificial or temporary? The best sources of true light will bring you joy: God's word, following what he asks you to do (aka obedience), other Christians (mentors and peers), worship, and prayer time.

Read Titus 2:1-10

2009-01-18T16:07:00.000-08:00

I am called to not only mentor others, but be mentored myself!

Why do we skip this part of scripture? We mean to learn from others; we NEED to learn from others. In a letter to Titus, Paul systematically lays out a plan on who and what we should be listening to (and incidentally, what we should be saying and who we should say it to.)

Men, it says, must be worthy of respect. Whoa! Ouch. Them's big shoes, especially in a day where respect is no longer automatically given. We seem to be a guilty-until-proven-respect-worthy-generation.
Older women (I won't give an age, you can just know who you are) are called to be reverent in the way they live and teach what is good.

reverent: submissive, humble, respectful.

And Paul doesn't mention a time clock or schedule, so I am guessing he wants us to be this way regularly. Constantly. So much pressure!

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German Lutheran pastor during WWII. Read about him; you won't regret it. At one point, he said, " I fear that Christians who stand with only one leg upon earth, also stand with only one leg in heaven."

What he is saying is obvious, but what he meant is we can't be in the world, but not of the world no matter how catchy a phrase we come up with. He meant, "We are the world" just like Michael Jackson said we are. He meant Jesus did not live this way. He meant Jesus came to be Jesus-down and dirty and living in the world no matter what issues his company had; no matter what those sharped dressed guys over there had to say about it; no matter if he was going to die because the Pharisees couldn't stand to go one more minute without irrationally judging someone.

Here's the rub: Jesus wasn't influenced by these people. He didn't need to be. He had a mentor.

paraphrasing here: I only go where the father instructs me.

Jesus had a trustworthy mentor to teach him to be worthy of respect, self-controlled, reverent, pure, kind, subject to his leaders, full of integrity, honest, and fully trusted.
God has given us all the type of people we need to connect with and model ourselves after as they model themselves after Christ. (Who, remember we talked about this, modeled himself after God.)
It's an excellent system. We each have a calling to be a part of it.

So, this week, our first week, spend some time praying for God to reveal the feedback you are receiving in your life. Do you have a mentor, someone you go to who leads you to Christ when you have struggles or triumphs? Has God placed people around you (probably younger) that you are setting an example for? Is it a good one? All of this is your fruit. Good or bad, you have to decide, but it is in fact the fruit you are producing. If you are being mentored, that wisdom contributes to the fruit you eventually produce. It's all part of a circle, a cycle, a ripple in a pond, the trickle down effect- you fill in your own analogy. But, pray about it. Feedback welcomed.

This week we are beginning the bible study Joy for any of you following along. I will post something about it tomorrow, but tomorrow is day one. If you have not picked up a book yet, try Barnes and Noble or that link over there to the right. See me pointing? Click on the picture of the book.

FYI

2009-01-09T22:37:00.000-08:00

and BTW (don't you love tween lingo?) For any of you following this here blog AND interested in following along with the Bible study, we are starting on Monday, the
19th as day one. SO, anyone who stuck with it a little longer in their previous attempt gets to lay out and get a tan in the snowy reflection of Mount Peavine. You could also read through the scriptures, declutter a closet, add ten jumping jacks to your morning routine, quilt a blanket, take up the new hobby of watching sports. You decide. Let me know if you come up with anything spectacular.
You can get your book from a website by reading the first post on this blog and following the directions there, or simply click on the picture of the book on the right.

A Giant Carrot up His Sleeve

2009-01-05T14:09:00.000-08:00

"I think God is working on something up there..something heavenly"

This is (mostly) a quote from a song I heard on the radio today. The songwriter is saying he has lots of issues, life is chaotic, and things don't really seem to be going the way he thinks he wants them to go. BUT he says he trusts God because He must be working on pulling something great together or God wouldn't be asking this songwriter to keep enduring.
Fill in your own blank with what you are enduring. Are you supposed to be enduring something and you have been hiding in the background hoping the choir director doesn't pick you for a solo? It happens to the best of us. Maybe you are tired or sick or sick AND tired. Maybe you need physical healing and all the faith you can muster doesn't seem to be enough for God to make it happen. (Lucky for you God doesn't solely operate that way.) Perhaps you are suffering in some other way: depression, addiction, self loathing, too much junk food, too much single living when you really just want to be married. What ever your "blank" is, trust that God is working on something up there...something heavenly. Maybe it's a giant carrot.

Here are some steps to take to help you wait (sounds funny, I know):

Join a bible study so you are meeting with God and faces to hold you accountable

Serve a little more. (My mother nicely tells anyone feeling badly about themselves to 'quiet down and serve' only she doesn't say quiet down. Maybe she doesn't say it nicely either, but people listen!)

Show up to church (mind-bottling, I know. "Did you just say mind-bottling?")

Join a prayer group or small group at your church

start exercising

start cutting down on rotten food and bulking up on the healthies. If you are full on healthy food, you won't have as much room for the junk. It works- honest.

Find a good book- I recommend The Bible, but those ones listed over there on the right are pretty good as well.

A Treat for You, a Sit Up for Me

2009-01-03T22:27:00.000-08:00

Because I no longer want to look like I am four months into another pregnancy, I have decided to do more sit ups. Also, because I love treats so much and don't like to say no in this area, I have decided to make my sweets meet my treats.

For as long as I can stay dedicated to this plan, I am going to do either 50 crunches, OR 25 sit ups, OR 10 push ups every time I eat a treat. The only exception is my sweet morning coffee, because that little cup of goodness is like manna from heaven.

So far this plan has worked wonderfully. New Year's Eve day I ate three mint chocolate cookies (YUM-O), which means I did 50 crunches, 40 sit ups (because I decided to just keep going), and 10 push ups. Later that night when I reached out for my fourth cookie, my abs inadvertently flexed sending unsatisfying pains throughout my core. I left the cookie and ate a piece of fruit instead.
Let me know if you decide to do this and how it goes for you. So far I have seen great results! Maybe I really WILL fit into those jeans I am saving after all!

DONT yell at me.

2009-01-02T16:14:00.000-08:00

I have been taking the same sort of lazy break as everyone else. sigh. BUT, I refuse to feel guilty. Won't you join me? I am starting up this here bible study blog again. Here are the differences:

I am making it public for anyone who wants to lurk, so watch what you say.

I am going to post regular devotionals in addition to simply talking about the book study we are doing.

I am going to have multiple categories. For now they will be:

Physical-dealing with healthy lifestyles and body,
Spiritual- obviously with our bible readings and devotions,
Eating- recipes, healthy alternatives, and just darn good food ideas.

I still want feed back and insight into your lives. Please share. Sometimes when I go to post a comment on someone's blog, I get a quick thought that maybe no one really wants to read what I have to say. It's just not so. I love reading about what God is doing in your lives- or what you feel he isn't doing. We take the good, we take the bad...you know the rest- The Facts of Life. They really do exist. We need to just make sure our priorities are straight. SO, here we go. I have deleted all previous posts and their comments so nothing from our study is revealed without consent.

Getting Started

2008-06-24T22:08:00.000-07:00

After a little bit of feet dragging and my feeble attempts to argue with God about my schedule, I gave in to his prodding to teach a summer bible study. BUT, so I wasn't totally overwhelmed, I began praying about what to do about childcare, venue, demographics, and other things that come along with running a study. I contacted my pastor because it seemed like a good thing to do, and because he didn't say no about this idea, I thought we could try out a new forum for bible studying.

Bible Study Blogging means we do it all right here! Each week, you will complete your bible study, and I will post some discussion questions, prayer, or other tidbits we would normally cover if we were meeting in a more traditional setting. Everyone signed up for the study will have access to comment and share what she got out of the study that week and respond to others. In the same way we don't share personal details with a bible study, I will ask that everyone do the same for this study.
Each of you is responsible for getting your book. I recommend Christian Books or Amazon. Be sure to check 'like new' books for better deals.
In addition to participating in the daily study and the weekly blog responses, I encourage you to have some other interaction with someone from the group. This could be a snail mail letter, an email, a late night coffee date, lunch, or if you have a lot of free time, totally covering her car in post it notes sporting encouraging words. You decide.
Finally, praying for others is a gift we are all given. I don't mean the words we say; I mean taking the time to support one another in prayer.

"Therefore, make it your habit to confess your sins to one another and to pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." James 5:16 (International Standard Version)

As with every study, you will get out of this what you put into it. Just remember to mean what you say and do; live your life on purpose.