Perspective

Note: This has nothing to do with my quest to learn how to cook.  Just some thoughts swirling around in my head that I need to let out.

I've been sick all week.  Nothing serious. Just a bad cold. Bad enough that over the past 9 days, I've missed 2 full days of work, church all day Sunday, and several partial days of work.  I've been extremely tired, congested, and coughing (you know that kind that sounds like you are going to cough up a lung?!?).  I still feel pretty yucky. (In fact today was the other full day of work I missed.)

But, I know that this is temporary.  "This too shall pass".  As bad as I feel, I know my life will go on and things will return to normal soon. (What ever "normal" is!?!)  But, I have three friends whose families will have to learn a new normal.  Each of these dear, beautiful, Godly women are Mothers to 3 or 4 kids (each, coincidently, have a son the age of my oldest).  They are all my age (give or take 5 years).

Debi has 4 boys. The oldest is married. The youngest is 14.  She was a photographer. Almost 2 months ago, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor.   Over the past two months, she has had brain surgery followed by chemo and radiation. She is holding up well.  She has a break while they determine if the treatment helped or what steps they will try next. Her husband and boys are clinging to hope, but their life will never be the same.

Jenni has 3 kids. Like me, she has boy bookends with a girl in the middle. Like me, she also has been married most of her life and struggled with infertility and loss.  Together, we created a lifeline known as Hannah's Prayer to encourage and support other women facing infertility and loss.  Unlike Debi, Jenni has known illness for most of her adult life.  She fought hard against an unknown immune disorder and has finally been getting some answers. Jenni has never left her illness define her.  She authored one book (Hannah's Heart) and had several more in process. She never stopped loving and supporting women who were in pain.  Until last month when she had a seizure, to which she was non-responsive for about 6 hours, and a stroke. Now Jenni is in a rehabilitation hospital where she is trying to learn how to do all the things she used to know how to do.  Her husband and family are clinging to hope, but their lives will never the same.

Christi has 4 boys and a girl.  The youngest two are the ages of my oldest two.  An awesome therapist, mentor, and friend, Christi was diagnosed with breast cancer about 5 or 6 years ago.  At one point it looked like she had it beat. In January, we learned it had been back for a while.  Christi held on to the hope that she would beat it. We thought we were going to lose her in January.  But she held on. Today, Christi lost her battle with cancer. I know that she is in the presence of her God and King, but we miss her her. Her husband and children clung to hope, but their lives will never be the same.

You are Beautiful!

This morning I was listening to the KLOVE radio morning show with Eric and Lisa. They were talking about an interview they had previously done with SuperChick where they talked aboutOperation Beautiful who is "transforming the way you see yourself one post it note at a time".

The mission is simple:

Leave postive notes in public places reminding women that they are beautiful.

I have been busy. While driving around for work today, I left notes in several convenience store bathrooms, a grocery store, an office complex, and my own office.

While I was taking pictures, I had an aha moment. I was trying to figure out how to take a picture of a mirror without getting myself in it. But then I stopped and thought about it. If I was afraid to be in the picture because I am too fat (or too ugly or too ______), then it was hypocritical to be posting the note. So I gladly posed with my notes! :)

Have you told anyone she is beautiful today?

2 New Contests from New Living Translation

My contact at Tyndale House, Adam Sabados, asked me to tell you about a couple of contests and giveaways starting tomorrow! (March 17th).

First:

The New Living Translation Break Through to Clarity Bible Contest and Giveaway

Visit www.facebook.com/NewLivingTranslation and click on the tab that says “Sweepstakes”

Fill out a simple form, take a quick Bible clarity survey, invite your friends to join and you’ll be entered to win one of our exciting prizes.

With each fan number milestone a new prize will be given away.

Grand Prize

Apple iPad 64G and a Life Application Study Bible
Awarded when the NLT Fan Page hits the fifth milestone
Retail Value: $829.00

2nd Prize

32G iPod Touch and a Life Application Study Bible
Awarded when the NLT Fan Page hits the fourth milestone
Retail Value: $300.00

3rd Prize

Kindle DX and a Life Application Study Bible
Awarded when the NLT Fan Page hits the third milestone
Retail Value: $489.00

4th Prize

Apple iPad 16G and a Life Application Study Bible
Awarded when the New Living Translation Fan Page hits the second milestone
Retail Value: $499.00

5th Prize

Apple iPad 32G and a Life Application Study Bible
Awarded when the NLT Fan Page hits the first milestone
Retail Value: $599.00

Prize Eligibility

Only persons residing in United States who are at least 18 years of age can enter.

Sweepstakes Starts

March 17, 2010 @ 10:24 am (PDT)

Sweepstakes Ends

April 30, 2010 @ 10:24 am (PDT)

I want to win the iPad!

Second:

Visit http://biblecontest.newlivingtranslation.com/index.php for a chance to win a trip for two to Hawaii!

Here’s the details:

Choose one of six passages of Scripture from the New Living Translation and consider:
How do these verses encourage you to know God better?
What is God teaching you in this passage?
How does this passage apply to your life?

Submit your answer and you’ll be entered to win.

Just for signing up: Everybody Wins! Win a Free .mp3 download from the NLT’s new Red Letters Project. It’s the dynamic, new presentation of the sung and narrated words of the Gospel of Matthew. You win the download just for entering! Or choose to download the NLT Philippians Bible Study, complete with the Book of Philippians in the NLT.

Every day, one person will win the best-selling Life Application Study Bible!

The grand prize: One person will win a fantastic trip for two to the crystal clear waters of the Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu’s North Shore in beautiful Hawaii.

Liar, liar, pants on fire

Fibs, exaggerations, distortions, half-truths, white lie, misrepresentations, falsehood, falsity, fish story, tall tale, whopper....

I know that we all misrepresent the truth at times. I know that there are time when I have not told "the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God". I also know that a lie is a lie, no matter how small (to borrow from Dr. Suess).

I know it is human nature to divert and blame. Adam and Eve started that process in the Garden. I understand the impulse to embellish rather than face the consequences. I understand the instinct to protect yourself from ramifications of a previous bad decision. I also realize that people often distort the truth to make themselves look better (been to any dating sites recently?)

But blatant, bold faced lies--about unimportant things--just doesn't make sense to me. This week, I was in the company of women who had worked together for more than a half a decade. *

One woman (Jill) traded staplers with the other (Mary) without checking in first. Several people knew about the exchange, and it made sense. Jill is in the office more often than Mary. Jill's stapler wasn't working. It would have been easy to explain--or return the stapler. Instead, when Mary realized her stapler wasn't working, she asked the office (nobody in particular) if someone had traded out her stapler. Jill immediately denied trading staplers. After Mary tried a few more times, Jill offered to let her borrow her stapler. When Mary looked at the stapler, she recognized it as hers.

Instead of 'fessing up, Jill decided to divert. "Oh...that is my stapler! I wonder what happened. I was having trouble with my stapler. I told the secretary I was having trouble with my stapler. Maybe she switched it out to see if it was the stapler or the staples that was causing the problem. I guess she forgot to switch them back."

I sat their flabbergasted! Jill could have just confessed and said that she borrowed it because hers wasn't working. What did it benefit her to lie? How did it help to continue the lie? Can I believe anything Jill says?

*Names and details have been changed for anonymity.

Letting go...little by little

If you follow my blog, you know that my oldest,my first born, my big boy (Chewie) is in middle school (6th grade). Yesterday was his first day (6th grade only). Today, he rode the bus to and from school (big steps for Mama!) This evening, he asked if he could ride his bike to his best friend, J's house. J only lives about 4 or 5 blocks away. The only problem is Sunset: a semi-major road (4 lanes) with no stop signs for easy crossing.

Chewie promised to suit up (helmet, pads, etc). I debated. Daddy wasn't home to ask for his opinion on the matter. So I took a deep breath, told him to call his friend, and made him promise to call when he arrived and before he left to come home. I also talked to J's mom to make sure she knew he was biking over.

About an hour or so later, it was getting dusk, so I called to have him come home. Munchie and I went outside to wait for him. Almost as soon as we got outside, I heard a mother's worst nightmare: sirens---lots of them--coming from Sunset. I brought Munchie inside, found Grandma and told her I didn't think anything was wrong, but I had to go check it out. About halfway there, I saw Chewie---safe and sound. He had seen a very bad accident about a block south of where he turned onto Sunset.

Letting go is so hard....

Letting Go Blog Tour

Today, I'd like to introduce you to a new book: Letting Go by Sandy Hancock.

Let's talk to Sandy.

What inspired you to write Letting Go, Pathway to an Amazing Life?

I have had a personal relationship with God most of my life. I attended church, prayed daily, participated in church activities, etc. I knew Jesus offers joy and peace. Yet happiness in my life seemed to come and go. There had to be more to life. I heard others say you will have happiness if you have a relationship with God. I had a relationship with Him yet something was missing. Then I went through what I call a “wilderness experience”. This is a time of hardship in which there is nothing we can do to help ourselves. We discover we must let go of our grip on anything in our life that we are seeking to find satisfaction from and embrace the life God called us to live. Experiencing a wilderness experience changed my focus and my life. What resulted is a strong desire to tell what I discovered to all who are on the same pursuit for happiness that I was on.

Letting Go, is an intriguing title. Why did you choose it?

We tend to hold onto the things we think will bring us contentment. In my life I held onto my dreams and desires. I believed they would provide me the happiness I sought. Yet everything I pursued failed to bring meaning to my life. It was not until I reached a point that I realized that my own pursuing was not working that I was able to let go and surrender all to God. It was at this point that my life changed. It was in letting go that I began to find true joy and peace in my life.

How can reading your book have an impact on the reader’s life?

As you travel with me on my journey to find contentment, I share the secrets I discovered to have inner peace and true joy. I encourage the reader to let go of the obstacles in their life that hinders them from experiencing the abundant life Jesus wants all of us to have. Further, fundamental truths are revealed that guides the reader to a closer walk with God.

How did you become a Christian?

My parents made the decision to enroll me in a Christian school. My parents did not know God, but they knew the value of a good education. They felt a Christian school would give me a better education. It was at school that I learned who Jesus is and about the love of God. I value those days and the valuable lessons I learned. Those lessons were what would get me through many challenges in my future.

You speak of joy and peace in your book. In what way did you find these?

For most of my life, my eyes were focused on my life, my circumstances, my dreams and desires. Once I let go of these and put my focus on drawing closer to the Lord and embracing His desires, my life began to have meaning. When I stopped placing confidence in myself to find happiness and started having God-confidence, He brought me an inner peace and joy that I had previously only had glimpses of. My circumstances did not change but how I felt inside did.

Was there a pivotal point that changed your life?

My childhood held a lot of precious memories. It was during my childhood that I grew to have a special love for family. It was a place where you belong; a place you can count on, or so I thought.

During my junior high years my family started to come apart. Investments my dad made put a strain on his marriage with my mother. Finally my dad stopped coming home. My world was turned upside down. The family I knew and loved was gone. All I depended on was no more. What I was left with was my pursuit to have a loving family again. It became my life’s goal.

In my pursuit I would meet several men; a few that were good to me and many who were not. I ended up in some pretty awful circumstances at times. Yet I just hung on. I believed so deeply that if I could just meet that special one, I would be happy at last. Then one day I did or so I thought. That man became my husband. Then four days before Christmas he walked into our bedroom and said there was a U-Haul in the driveway and he was moving out. I could barely breathe. The pain was intense. This is what I had waited for all my life. This marriage was supposed to bring me happiness. And there were many times it did. But in the end I was left empty and alone.

For most of my life my focus was in finding Mr. Right. I believed once I did I would my life would be complete. When my husband walked out, I realized all my pursuing only left me broken and without hope. I saw following my own pursuits was futile. It was at this point that God was then able to show me a much deeper love than I had ever experienced and I was able to let go.

Are you associated with any other organizations you would care to share with our readers?

I have partnered with Inspire Life Skills Training, Inc. They inspire young adults who are aging-out of the foster care system to become independent. Half of the proceeds from the sale of this book is given to them.

Foster youth face enormous challenges in making a smooth transition to adulthood and building successful lives. These young people often leave the foster care system with few resources and very little support. Often they have suffered physically and emotionally from the lack of a stable and supportive family. As a result it is common for these youth to face homelessness, limited education, unemployment, incarceration, substance abuse and unwanted pregnancy.

How can our readers purchase your book?

It can be purchased directly from my website at www.pathwaytoanamazinglife.com. Also it can be bought from several online bookstores.

Thank you for your time and May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him.

Answered Prayers

This morning, John texted me to tell me that the car wouldn't start. (This was quite frustrating as we just replace the battery about a month ago.) I couldn't help him because I getting ready to meet a family. I had just pulled up to Sam's Club gas station. While pumping gas, a friend from church walked over. Bob asked how John was doing. I mentioned that the car wouldn't start. He asked if he could pray for our car. I said sure. My mom always said, "If God is the 'great physician', why can't he be the 'great mechanic'?" Bob prayed for three things:

1. That the car would start quickly.
2. For wisdom to figure out what was wrong.
3. For finances to cover any repairs.

After I finished pumping, I texted John to give him the total (so he could update the checking account). And I added, "Bob prayed for your car." His return text: "It started immediately." I told him to stop by and tell Bob.

Later, he went to Sam's, and again texted that the car wouldn't start. (I told him to call Bob!) He checked a couple of things and let me know he got it started. He had an idea of a problem with the battery terminals. (See request #2) He headed over to the car parts store in the same parking lot and for $2.13 (see request #3), he fixed it. Yeah God! Nice triple play!

Attacked!

Short story:

I was stung by a scorpion at least 3--and possibly 5--times on Saturday night!

Back story:

We've been in New Mexico for almost 6 years now, and the sight of a scorpion still creeps me out every time. I was the first in our family to "meet" a scorpion: tail to toe. A few months after we arrived, I was sitting at my computer when I felt a pin prick on the side of my foot. I thought I had found a tack. I looked down and saw a scorpion and started screaming. I woke the whole house. I was sure I was going to die!

We later learned the NM scorpions sting, but are not deadly. Over the past 5 years, we've seen dozens of scorpions, and we've had a few stings. Papaw was stung on the arm while napping on his bed. My sister-in-law found one in a basket of clean laundry. John woke up screaming one night after a scorpion danced on his leg (stinging several times in the process). We aren't sure how many times he got stung. Amazingly, none of the kids have been stung!

Current story:

And then it was my turn again. I was sitting on the bed at 3 a.m. Yes. I was awake at 3 a.m. John and I were having a "discussion". I was wearing one of John's t-shirts. Mid-sentence, I felt a prick on the front of my neck--right in the middle. I screamed and jumped as I felt another prick on my upper right arm. Again I jumped and the next stick was on my chest.

Along the way, I started screaming, "SCORPION!" and then I ripped off my shirt. John immediately grabbed me and dragged me into the kitchen to dose me up with Benedryl. (I grabbed a towel to cover up with on the way out!)

We returned to the room to find the critter. Fortunately, it was still curled up in my shirt. But with our new pillowtop bed, John wasn't able to smash it. He had to catch it. With nothing else in sight, he dumped out a dish of cookies on my desk and used the container.

When we stopped to look, I had 1 bite on my neck, and 1 or 2 bites each on my upper arm and chest. A couple of them swelled pretty bad, but all the signs were gone by morning. When I finally calmed down enough to lay down, I felt something on my leg. Sure it was phantom feelings, I shook my leg--and found a Japanese beetle crawling on me! It didn't bite, but it freaked me out.

Eek!

Onward Christian Soldier

On payday (which includes allowance day) Munchie showed Daddy the armor set and told him the same thing he told me: The Full Armor of God. Daddy was so impressed he kicked in the $3 Munchie was short Here he is in full armor.

Chicken Soup for the Soul Review and Giveaway

If you haven't heard of Chicken Soup for the Soul, where exactly have you been the last 15 years? Chicken Soup for the Soul began with a single volume in 1993. Now there are more than 200 titles that have been translated into 40 different languages. They have sold more 112 million books. Chicken Soup for the Soul continues to develop new ways to reach the public including movies, DVDs, online resources and other partnerships.

The newest offering from Chicken Soup for the Soul is a series directed at teenagers and young adults. There are 4 titles: Teens Talk Middle School; Teens Talk High School; Teens Talk Getting Into College; and Campus Chronicles. Each book tells a series of stories. The stories cover topics like "Happy to be me"; "Dating, Crushes and Just Friends"; "Consequences" and "That was Embarrassing" (from the High School book). Some topics are fun; others are serious.

When my son (who goes to middle school in August) gets home from camp, we are going to start reading the stories together. I want to read the stories together in case there are things that we need to discuss. It could be things he has been dealing with or asking him how he would have dealt with the situation.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Teens Talk Middle School

101 Stories of Life, Love, and Learning for Younger Teens

Almost everyone hated middle school. It’s a very tough time for adolescents. This “support group in a book” is specifically geared to younger teens -- the ones still worrying about puberty, cliques, discovering the opposite sex, and figuring out who they are. Meant for middle school students ages eleven to fourteen, stories cover regrets and lessons learned, love and “like,” popularity, friendship, tough issues such as divorce, illness, and death, failure and rising above it, embarrassing moments, bullying, and finding something you’re passionate about. The stories provide emotional support, humor, and inspiration for the young teens making their way through the tumultuous middle school years.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Teens Talk High School

101 Stories of Life, Love, and Learning for Older Teens

This book focuses on issues specific to high school age kids, ages fourteen to eighteen. Teens in high school have mainly moved past worrying about puberty and cliques, so stories in this book cover topics of interest to older teens such as sports and clubs, religion and faith, driving, curfews, growing up, self-image and self-acceptance, dating and sex, family relationships, friends, divorce, illness, death, pregnancy, drinking, failure, and preparing for life after high school. High school students will find comfort and inspiration in the words of this book, referring to it through all four years of their high school experience, like a portable support group.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Teens Talk Getting In... to College

101 True Stories from Kids Who Have Lived Through It

These days, colleges are deluged with applications, and the application process has become something traumatic that students and parents experience together. This book isn’t about how to get into college -- it’s about providing emotional, not tactical, support. The stories in this book are written by kids who have been there and want to pass on their words of support to the kids about to go through the whole ordeal. Story topics include parental and peer pressure, the stress of grades and standardized tests, applications and interviews, recruiting, disappointments, and successes. Parents and students alike will findGetting In... to College a great source of inspiration.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Campus Chronicles

101 Real College Stories from Real College Students

College life can be fun, stressful, exciting, and educational in more ways than one. Campus Chronicles is a book for any current or prospective college student who wants to know what really goes on in the dorms and in the classroom. Story topics range from the academic, like studying abroad and picking majors, to partying and life choices. Read about other college students’ spring breaks, personal growth, relationships with family and significant others, Greek life, transferring schools, money woes, and alternative paths. Campus Chronicles is about growing up, making choices, learning lessons, and making the best of your last years as a student.

Would you like to win a copy? I will be giving away one copy of each title.

To enter:

Leave a comment with your best advice for students.

Bonus entries (leave a separate comment for each):

* Add my button to your blog

* Follow me on twitter

* Twitter about this giveaway

* Follow my blog

* Subscribe to my blog

Contest ends Thursday June 25th.

Please make sure your profile is public or include your e-mail address in your comment. If I can't easily find my winner, I'll have to pick another one.

Limited to US addresses only.

I am says, "You are..." Blog Tour

Note: This will not be my typical book review!

Have you ever read a book that was exactly what you needed? Have you ever had God hit you over the head with an idea? A bunch of times? It kind of makes you stop and say, "I think I'm supposed to be learning something here". I've had that experience over the past couple of months. Before I tell you about I AM says, "You are...", I have to tell you about events leading up to today.

Read the full review here: I am says You Are

Update

Sorry for the overload of product posts in a row. I've gotten a little bit behind. But I wanted to give my faithful readers an update. One of the items on my 40 before 40 list was to complete my life plan. My church recently opened up a Life Purpose Coaching Center, and I have been trying to schedule a Life Plan with her for about 9 months. The timing just never worked--until now. But we both realize this was the right time for us. Over the next few weeks and months you will be hearing more about this process.

But for now, I have committed to make some changes in my life. One of those changes has to do with the way I spend my time and how much time I spend on the internet. So you may see some changes with how often I post.

I have been working with the women's ministry team at church. We are in the middle of plans for a retreat (May 1st).

Life has been busy and good.

Last times

We all know children grow up so fast. It seems like one minute they’re crying for your attention and the next they’re teenagers wanting to take the car out for the night. Author Karen Kingsbury knows this feeling all too well. Karen is the mother of six children and it is those children that prompted her to write Let Me Hold You Longer.

Okay...kleenex alert! My contact over at Tyndale House sent me a link to this video. In in, Karen explains the reason she wrote her new book Let Me Hold You Longer And then she reads the text. Wow!



Now, can you share a "last time" with one of your kids?

My older two kids had a hard time giving up their "meme" (aka pacifier). But with Munchy, he just asked for it less and less. One day, I realized he hadn't asked for one (or found one and put it in his mouth) in 2 weeks. I didn't realize it was his last time.

Lessons from 2008

Recently, while blogsurfing, I came across Robert Hruzek's Middle Zone Musings. He does a meme called "WILF: What I learned from...." where he gives a phrase to complete and post about. The first WILF I participated in was his Blogapalooza. The challenge was to go back through my blog posts for the year and share one lesson I learned from each month. Would you like to know what I learned last year? Of course, my biggest lesson I learned was that my husband loves me more than anything in the world (really!) I also learned about transformation, restoration and my own strength. Check out my full post at: Blogapalooza.

There is still time to join! Want to share what you learned this year? Check out the info post here.

Moving?

The never-ending saga of the office move...(cue sound effect: dun, dun, dun...)

I've been living and working out of a box for almost 3 weeks. I packed up my desk, my cabinets, and everything else before Christmas--as ordered. But nothing has happened. Supposedly, the move will start tomorrow, but we aren't holding our collective breath.

It is amazing what you find out that is important when you move. My Daddy used to say that people should move at least once every 10 years. (I should note here, that while a wise man, Daddy did not take his own advice. Mom still lives in the house they moved into 38 years ago!) We packed our desk, trying to leave out the things we would need for an indefinite amout of time. Much of the stuff in my desk is fine. I would probably never miss it. But our biggest problem has been running out of pens! And paperclips. And someone's phone died, but her charger was buried. In a box. Waiting.

There of 7 of "me" in my office. (Meaning, we all do the same job.) When I started, I was #5 in an office designed for 6. It's a 10' x 15' square with custom shelving and desks lining 3 walls. The 4th wall has a computer table. About a year after I started, a 6th person joined our team. Our office was full. (Fortunately, we spent a lot of time "in the field", so we aren't too crowded!) Last year, our numbers grew such that we needed to hire #7. #7 had previously worked here (before me), but had move over to work at "The Company" with adult clients. The problem was where do we put #7? After many discussions, it was decided that a new wall would be built to house #7 and #1. A temporary divider was found, and we went back to work.

Fast forward to the fall. The Big Wigs decided that we needed to move our office across the parking lot into the Big Building (with all the Big Wigs). We resisted. We cried. We begged. But then we realized the Big Wigs would do what they wanted, so maybe we should try to get some say in the move. So, we 7, compiled a list of our concerns and our questions. We even decided to dream big: Can we get laptops? Can we work from home? We met with the top two Big Wigs. They answered our questions (like "What about the phones? Do we have to change our numbers?") and listened to our concerns. But they decided that they were going to move us.

We did learn that we will get 3 laptops! (Yippee!) The new office is exactly double the square footage of this office. We aren't sure how much "room" that will equate to since our desks will be along the wall. Oh yes...they are moving the custom desks and shelving to the new office.

So tomorrow is the big day. (Supposedly!) We have no idea how long we will be "homeless". The cabinets (about a dozen 3' sections) and the desks will all be moved. And then they have to set them back up. And then they have to finish setting up the phones.

Tomrrow, I scheduled myself OUT OF THE OFFICE all day. I'll see kids at daycares with a lunch meeting in between. When I come back, maybe I'll find a place to sit down to do my paperwork. Then again....maybe not.

What is a deal worth?

I have only done the "Black Friday" (the day after Thanksgiving when people go out for great deals) shopping trip once or twice. I enjoy the crowds and such, but I usually don't have money to spend to make the fight worth it. I have no intention of shopping this weekend.

A couple of days ago, we were talking about crazy people get on "Black Friday". My father-in-law mentioned one year in our town when a fight broke out in front of Target. His comment was, "Nothing in that store would be worth that". Every year there are reports about altercations somewhere in the country. But this year took a new low. At a Wal-Mart on Long Island, a 34 year old temporary stock clerk was "bum rushed" by at least 200 people. 3 minutes after the store was scheduled to open, they pushed through the door "leaving the metal portion of the door looking like an accordion. They knocked down the employee and trampled him to death! In the process, they also knocked down a pregnant woman (who reports indicate is doing well, as is her baby).

What in that store is worth a human life? Is 100 bucks of a TV or a $2 DVD worth that? I wonder what they will say when they get home today? "Sorry son, I didn't that video game you asked for for Christmas. Instead, I helped kill a man."

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Luke 12:34 (NIV)

Nothing, not a single thing in this world, is worth the life of a man.

Allow God to Shape you

Thanks Auntie M.

We are the clay, and You our potter."
Isaiah 64:8 NKJV
Imagine a beautiful china teacup saying: "I wasn't always like this. There was a time when I was just a cold, hard, colourless lump of clay. One day the potter picked me up and said, 'I could do something with this.' Then he started to put pressure on me and change my shape. I said, 'What are you doing? That hurts. Stop!' But he said, 'Not yet.' Then he put me on a wheel and began to spin me around and around until I shouted, 'Let me off.' He replied, 'Not yet.' Then he shaped me into a cup and put me in a hot oven. I cried, 'Let me out of here. I'm suffocating.' But he looked at me and said, 'Not yet.' When he took me out, I thought his work on me was over, but then he started to paint me. I couldn't believe what he did next. He put me back into the oven, and I said, 'I can't stand this, please let me out!' But he said, 'Not yet.' Finally he took me out of the oven and set me on a shelf where I thought he had forgotten me. Then one day he took me off the shelf and held me up before a mirror. I couldn't believe my eyes. I had become a beautiful teacup that everyone wants to buy."
There are things going on in your life today that you don't understand. When you finally get to the place God wants you to be, you'll realise that He has been making you into a vessel He can use, bless, and use to bless others. So, allow God to shape you!

Original source: UCB

I hate mornings

I'm really more of a night owl. I don't roll out of bed fresh and ready to go. But if it's just me I have to get going, I do alright. The reason I hate mornings is because this year I have two sleepyheads who don't "do mornings". And I hate fighting with them.

Before school started this fall, I had plans for a peaceful morning. I would get up early for a time of prayer and Bible study, followed by a morning workout on the Wii. After calling the kids (once!) they would get up and we would have breakfast together. We would read a chapter from the Bible and practice our memory verses. I would pray blessings over my children before I sent them out into the cruel world. And then I'd head off to work feeling revived and encouraged.

In reality, our monrings have been a bit, shall we say, different? Instead, I have to call them several times. (Often waking up Munchie who doesn't go to school until 11:30.) Many mornings I have to request backup (aka Daddy!). And they need constant reminders: get dressed; get your shoes on; take your meds; brush your teeth; let me brush your hair. (Yes, Crunchy.....I do need to brush your long beautiful hair EVERY day.) By the time we get to the car, I'm frazzled. I've lost my cool at least once. They are frazzled. And I have a 3 minute drive to try to get everyone ready to face the world. Then I have to go to work.

So many mornings, I leave their school in tears. This is not how I want our mornings to start. Rising early is hard when I don't get to sleep very early. And what is the Wii? Last time I got on my Wii Fit (about 3 weeks ago) it said, "It's been 27 days since you were here last".)

I need to reclaim my mornings.

Psalm 5:2-3 (NIV)
2 Listen to my cry for help,
my King and my God,
for to you I pray.
3 In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait in expectation.

Lamentations 3:22-24 (NIV)
22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him."

Psalm 59:16 (NIV)
But I will sing of your strength,
in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress,
my refuge in times of trouble.

Stronger than I knew

As part of Leadership Roswell (a 9 month leadership training program I'm involved in) I participated in a Ropes course. When I get some pictures, I'll post them. The Tower was a pyramid shape with an assortment of telephone poles at various angles. The three corners had "rocks" to climb up. (Sort of like a rock climbing wall.) As you get higher up, you have to switch logs, or go on ropes. At the top of the tower is a platform.

To go up, we had to put on a harness, and then we were tied to an anchor rope. The guys holding the ropes (and our lives!) were awesome. They were called "Bayles" or something like that. (I didn't quite catch it.)

I've heard of these courses before. And I would have expected to be terrified. But I wasn't. I was excited and anxious. I wanted to see what I could push myself to do. After a few team building activities (including swinging on a rope from a platform into a hula hoop on the ground!), it was time to climb the tower. Three pretty confident (and athletic) guys went first. (There were three sides to climb.) I was in the second group--all women. But the other two women's husbands had done the class last year. They were highly motivated to reach the top!

I was a little afraid at first. After I climbed up a few "rocks", they had us fall on purpose so we would know what to expect. Then we started again. I had set a goal of making it to where the first sets of logs were tied together. (About 1/3 of the way up?) I got stuck about 3 feet below that. I couldn't get a grip on my foot hold, and I couldn't reach the handhold well enough to get a grip. But I didn't give up. I tried several times. I went down a couple of pegs to get a better grip. I held on and push and pushed. I reached up and curled my fingers around the next rock, but I just could not pull myself up. At what seemed like hours (!), I told my Bayles that I wanted to come down.

When I hit the ground, my legs were putty. And I cried. And cried. Everyone thought it was tears of relief. But it wasn't. I was disappointed. I wanted to make the goal.. I wasn't the only one who didn't make it to the top. But I was the first one. Most of my group did make it to the top. I didn't expect to make it to the top. But I wanted to make it higher.

But my classmates were awesome. They cheered me on. They encouraged me. They gave me advice about where to put my feet and how to push on. They didn't rush me when I just kind of hung there trying to get up the strength. They held me when I cried.

I'm disappointed that I didn't have the strength to pull myself up higher. But I'm proud that I didn't let fear get in the way. I didn't give up at the first sign of pain. And I pushed on.

After that, I went on the swing. My harness was attached to this rope that was attached to a wire. My classmates pulled me up (only about 1/2 way---not that brave!) and, when I was ready, I let go of the rope holding me up. And then I swung?, swang? swinged? I SAILED through the air. WOW! That was fun!

Next year, I'd love to go back and try it again. Especially if I am successful in losing 100 pounds.

Restoration

Have you ever done something really stupid (or mean or ugly or downright sinful)? Have you ever received forgiveness for said offense? Have you ever struggled to accept that forgiveness?

If you read my blog regularly, you've probably heard about my TV fiasco. In short, 5 weeks after my husband got his new toy (a 47 inch LCD panel TV) I broke it with the Wii-Mote. The only time I used the Wii without the strap.

We bought the TV with my quarterly bonus. We had a plan for a few other large purchases that we needed to make over the next year or two. The week before the fiasco, I learned that my company was no longer going to be giving us a bonus. When the TV broke, I was horrified. That was a lot of money to just throw away. But it didn't fall under warranty. (I even plead my case with the makers of the TV. No sympathy.)

If you read the link above, my hubby was my knight in shining armor. He never said a harsh word to me. He didn't allow the children to say a negative word. In an instant, he decided that he loved me more than he loved the TV. For the next 4 months, he watched a small (13 inch?) TV propped up on a chair. He never complained. He forgave me before I asked. He held me while I cried.

But it wasn't so easy for me to forgive myself. It was more than a week before I was able to tell anybody what happened. I still beat myself up when I think about it.

Two weeks ago, a long awaited (and much overdue) tax return arrived. We were able to replace the TV. There was no question or discussion. We both knew we would be making the purchase. (The only question was which TV.) It's a little easier to accept the forgiveness since things have been restored.

The forgiveness God offers is a free gift. As soon as we ask, He is ready to forgive. Even before we ask, He demonstrates his love for us. Whether we "feel" forgiven or not, His forgiveness is there. And He restores us to where we were meant to be.