Sometimes life is like a roller coaster. I do love and always have love to ride them so I better just get on and enjoy the ride. I am sure that the ride of life can be fun if we look at it that way. How is it that sometimes we get stuck in line and never get onto the ride. Life is too short to not hold your hands high in the air and scream and laugh. That is what I like to do when I ride a roller coaster. Why not do that in life?
I have often found myself doing only the mundane things in life and forgetting to enjoy the ride. It is way more fun to play a game of checkers with my son than wash the dishes. It is more rewarding to talk to my daughter rather than yell at her. Why is it that we would choose the latter?
The joy in life is found in the little things that we do. It is when we pile in the car with treats and watch my son's game or my daughters soccer. It is when we go someplace together and end up with a laughing memory. It is in the quite talks on my bed and the assurance that we love each other. It is in the early morning talks with my husband before anyone or anything is awake yet. Joy in life is all of these small things all added together to make life.
I hope that I take the time to get on the roller coaster ride and hold up my hands and laugh. It is way more fun than standing around watching everyone else have the fun. Make it and create it. We might as well enjoy the ride.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
Game, Game, Game...
I love to watch my children play in their games. It is so fun to see them struggle, work hard and have successes. I have the privilege of watching up to 12 games that my children are involved in this week. Will I make it to all of them? I am not sure but to know that they are there for me to see is a wonderful thing.
I believe in being on a team and working toward the same goals. I believe in the process of progression and the strength that can be found in being on a team. Life's lessons are to be learned in playing "the game".
My son who is eight was so excited to know that his family was coming to watch him play in his game. He looked often to us and was happy to see us give him thumbs up. He does love to play and it is fun to see his excitement. I hope that it continues through out his life. He said to me tonight that he was a good player. I assured him that he was and that he could still get better. Life is too short to not love "the game".
I believe in being on a team and working toward the same goals. I believe in the process of progression and the strength that can be found in being on a team. Life's lessons are to be learned in playing "the game".
My son who is eight was so excited to know that his family was coming to watch him play in his game. He looked often to us and was happy to see us give him thumbs up. He does love to play and it is fun to see his excitement. I hope that it continues through out his life. He said to me tonight that he was a good player. I assured him that he was and that he could still get better. Life is too short to not love "the game".
A Need to Talk
There are times that you wonder where your life is going and what good you are doing. I have often sought confirmation that what I am "doing is the right thing at the right time". I remember when I got engaged and felt pressure from my father that what I was doing was not right. I was confused because I knew that I had sought guidance and had received confirmation that I was doing the right thing. My father softened and trusted me. When the sealer stood at the end of our ceremony he thought to say " I just felt impressed to tell you that you are doing the right thing at the right time." I know that I did not really need to hear that but I will tell you that through the difficult times I was reassured that I was where I needed to be.
Often times I have sought that same confirmation as I have gone through my life. I know that I can feel as I did then that I am "doing the right thing at the right time". Each time I have sought that confirmation I have received a witness of comfort. I am not sure why I have been blessed with such tender mercies but I am forever grateful.
These last few weeks I have had a difficult decision to make and have sought to know what to do and that the decision that I felt right about was the right thing. I wanted to know if I was "doing the right thing at the right time". I made my decision based on the feeling of comfort and knew that I would leave it in the Lords hands. How is it possible to not have confirmation in the things that we do. How can we not have guidance in our life especially when we are making life changing decisions. I do not ever want to be alone to make these decisions and will be forever grateful for the Lord's hand in my life.
All of us should seek for assurance in our lives. We need to know that we are where we need to be or better yet where the Lord needs us. I know that when we strive to do what is right that we can receive this guidence and that in this we can be more affective in His work. I am glad to know that He knows all and can direct me to be in the "right place at the right time".
Often times I have sought that same confirmation as I have gone through my life. I know that I can feel as I did then that I am "doing the right thing at the right time". Each time I have sought that confirmation I have received a witness of comfort. I am not sure why I have been blessed with such tender mercies but I am forever grateful.
These last few weeks I have had a difficult decision to make and have sought to know what to do and that the decision that I felt right about was the right thing. I wanted to know if I was "doing the right thing at the right time". I made my decision based on the feeling of comfort and knew that I would leave it in the Lords hands. How is it possible to not have confirmation in the things that we do. How can we not have guidance in our life especially when we are making life changing decisions. I do not ever want to be alone to make these decisions and will be forever grateful for the Lord's hand in my life.
All of us should seek for assurance in our lives. We need to know that we are where we need to be or better yet where the Lord needs us. I know that when we strive to do what is right that we can receive this guidence and that in this we can be more affective in His work. I am glad to know that He knows all and can direct me to be in the "right place at the right time".
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
The Christmas Spirit
Last night we gathered as a family to begin our candle time for the 12 days of Christmas. My anticipation and expectations were great and by the end I needed a hug from my husband. I whispered in his ear, "how can we get the spirit of Christ in our home?" He comforted me and made it possible for me to try again. Tonight will be different. It will be better.
Later that night I watched a segment on the Atmosphere in your Home. How ironic that I would see that after how I felt. It did not make me feel any better because it told me that parents are responsible for the feelings that are in the home. What we do and feel is copied by our children. That was just what I needed to hear. After realizing that it was me I became more determined to somehow create it. Now I have a mission.
It feels like this is the busiest week of my life but I do want the feeling of Christ in my home. I am sure that I can do it if I have a plan. So here it goes. I must have the spirit of Christ in my heart. I need to listen to the words of the Christmas songs and feel their meaning. I must make time for doing Christ like things. I must listen to things that talk of Christ. I must put off the stress in my life and think of the things that really matter. I am going to try hard today to make it happen so that my home and family will feel it also. Here begins a day of Christ in my life. I will let you know how it goes.
Later that night I watched a segment on the Atmosphere in your Home. How ironic that I would see that after how I felt. It did not make me feel any better because it told me that parents are responsible for the feelings that are in the home. What we do and feel is copied by our children. That was just what I needed to hear. After realizing that it was me I became more determined to somehow create it. Now I have a mission.
It feels like this is the busiest week of my life but I do want the feeling of Christ in my home. I am sure that I can do it if I have a plan. So here it goes. I must have the spirit of Christ in my heart. I need to listen to the words of the Christmas songs and feel their meaning. I must make time for doing Christ like things. I must listen to things that talk of Christ. I must put off the stress in my life and think of the things that really matter. I am going to try hard today to make it happen so that my home and family will feel it also. Here begins a day of Christ in my life. I will let you know how it goes.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
The Simple Things that Make a Big Difference
The other morning I was cleaning out my inbox and came across an email that was sent to me from my office. While I was watching it I began to become very emotional. Often there are times when you do things and are never sure if it is making any difference. I believe that one of our purposes here is to make a difference in the lives of others.
We do this as we parent and teach and love. We can make a differences in the lives of others doing the simplest things. I am certain that each of us can and will make a difference. Sometimes it requires us to step out of ourselves and be creative. I believe that if we care enough that we will find ways to make a difference in the live of others. After all is that not what brings us the greatest joy?
Let me tell you something that I started about three years ago with a good friend of mine. There are many widows in my neighborhood. I had grown to love them and their goodness. We decided to make lunch for them once a month and we take turns. I began doing it to bless their lives and it has turned out to be a great blessing in mine and my families lives. I cannot tell you the strength and goodness that they share with us. I cannot express the love that has grown as I have been with them each month. I cannot even begin to tell how rich my life is because of them.
They are my dearest of friends and I am grateful that they consider me their friend. I hope that as you watch this Video that you too can catch the bug of how the small things can make a huge difference in the lives of many yours includes.
Click Here To Enjoy.
We do this as we parent and teach and love. We can make a differences in the lives of others doing the simplest things. I am certain that each of us can and will make a difference. Sometimes it requires us to step out of ourselves and be creative. I believe that if we care enough that we will find ways to make a difference in the live of others. After all is that not what brings us the greatest joy?
Let me tell you something that I started about three years ago with a good friend of mine. There are many widows in my neighborhood. I had grown to love them and their goodness. We decided to make lunch for them once a month and we take turns. I began doing it to bless their lives and it has turned out to be a great blessing in mine and my families lives. I cannot tell you the strength and goodness that they share with us. I cannot express the love that has grown as I have been with them each month. I cannot even begin to tell how rich my life is because of them.
They are my dearest of friends and I am grateful that they consider me their friend. I hope that as you watch this Video that you too can catch the bug of how the small things can make a huge difference in the lives of many yours includes.
Click Here To Enjoy.
Special Day Gone Golden
I have a daughter who is trying to adjust to Jr High. It is not an easy task but to have a daughter who is mentally in fourth grade trying to do it is very difficult. She has had a rough few weeks but was looking forward to her birthday. I thought about what I could do to make this day even better. I tried to warn her that birthday's at the Jr High were not like the birthdays in elementary school. But non the less she was very excited and anticipated the best. I told my daughter who is in ninth grade to decorate her locker or to find some way to make it special for her. She did!
My plan was intense. I was going to do a "While You Were Out" bedroom makeover for her birthday. I enlisted help from the whole family. We bought a new cabinet from a thrift store and bought chair rail. All of that needed to be painted and ready for "the day". We spent the night painting and making sure that everything was ready. At this point I almost became discouraged and gave up. But with the help of my husband we persisted.
The morning of her birthday I woke up and was discouraged again. I told my husband that I was not sure if this was a good idea. I was not sure it was going to work and that she would even like it. I felt sure in the beginning when the idea came to me but I was not sure at this point whether it would all come together. Dale took courage and supported and encourage me once again.
I had taken the day off from work (which never happens) and planned on beginning after we dropped her off at school. Dale came back and put up the chair rail and then helped us move the newly painted cabinet inside. We worked for hours (Me and several of my children). We stalled her from coming home after school by letting CaLea take her on a special time together. There are a few things that did not get done but we were out of time.
The moment arrived around five when it was time to give her the "birthday present". A new room. They all went upstairs except for her and I (cameras in hand). I told her that her gift from all of us could not be wrapped and is very special. I took her upstairs and covered her eyes as I took her into her new room. I was not sure what the reaction would be but it was wonderful. She could not believe it and we all ended up touched by her reaction. The video tells it all. There are times when our time and efforts are better than any gift that could be bought. Needless to say it was a very special day that turned golden to all of us.
My plan was intense. I was going to do a "While You Were Out" bedroom makeover for her birthday. I enlisted help from the whole family. We bought a new cabinet from a thrift store and bought chair rail. All of that needed to be painted and ready for "the day". We spent the night painting and making sure that everything was ready. At this point I almost became discouraged and gave up. But with the help of my husband we persisted.
The morning of her birthday I woke up and was discouraged again. I told my husband that I was not sure if this was a good idea. I was not sure it was going to work and that she would even like it. I felt sure in the beginning when the idea came to me but I was not sure at this point whether it would all come together. Dale took courage and supported and encourage me once again.
I had taken the day off from work (which never happens) and planned on beginning after we dropped her off at school. Dale came back and put up the chair rail and then helped us move the newly painted cabinet inside. We worked for hours (Me and several of my children). We stalled her from coming home after school by letting CaLea take her on a special time together. There are a few things that did not get done but we were out of time.
The moment arrived around five when it was time to give her the "birthday present". A new room. They all went upstairs except for her and I (cameras in hand). I told her that her gift from all of us could not be wrapped and is very special. I took her upstairs and covered her eyes as I took her into her new room. I was not sure what the reaction would be but it was wonderful. She could not believe it and we all ended up touched by her reaction. The video tells it all. There are times when our time and efforts are better than any gift that could be bought. Needless to say it was a very special day that turned golden to all of us.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Respect
Often times I have demanded respect. I deserve it right? I have told my children to just obey because I am the parent after all! I have heard myself say "you will do what I say because I am the mom". Wow! Did I earn their respect or did I demand it? How wrong I have been. I see now that respect is not something that you demand it is something that you earn.
My husband asked me the other morning who I respected. I told him God. He is the perfect parent and I have grown to respect Him. My husband then proceeded to tell me about something he had listened to Saturday morning that had changed his life. This is what he talked about. When the question was given to him that morning he thought of a lot of people that he did not respect. It became easier to think of people to respect that were not close to him than it was to find someone close. The discussion continued and he began to realize that those that he should respect the most are the ones that are closest to him. His family and those with whom he works. He asked himself the question of what was stopping him from the respect that they deserved. He found his answer in one word it was his PRIDE.
He was humbled and realized that he did actually have a lot of respect for me especially(hee hee) and for all those that were close to him. His parents, his children and his co-workers. How is it that we don't give the respect that is earned by those that are closest to us? Maybe it is a question that we should all ask ourselves. How different the world would be if there was more respect given to those that are around us every day. We would treat them differently and we would be happier I am certain. It would be a better world for sure.
My husband asked me the other morning who I respected. I told him God. He is the perfect parent and I have grown to respect Him. My husband then proceeded to tell me about something he had listened to Saturday morning that had changed his life. This is what he talked about. When the question was given to him that morning he thought of a lot of people that he did not respect. It became easier to think of people to respect that were not close to him than it was to find someone close. The discussion continued and he began to realize that those that he should respect the most are the ones that are closest to him. His family and those with whom he works. He asked himself the question of what was stopping him from the respect that they deserved. He found his answer in one word it was his PRIDE.
He was humbled and realized that he did actually have a lot of respect for me especially(hee hee) and for all those that were close to him. His parents, his children and his co-workers. How is it that we don't give the respect that is earned by those that are closest to us? Maybe it is a question that we should all ask ourselves. How different the world would be if there was more respect given to those that are around us every day. We would treat them differently and we would be happier I am certain. It would be a better world for sure.
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