It's FRIDAY!

Today is one of those days where my job feels endless and pointless. My kids are home. Those are the days that are the hardest.  Tick tock all day long watching the clock until finally-- its time to go home! I think of all the things I could be doing and get discouraged. Especially knowing that by the time I get there I will be too tired and too discouraged to do any of them.

Although last night I actually got a bit done last night. I was able to get my dresser mostly cleaned off, my shorts put away for the winter and sweaters put in their place.  I fixed the bottom that was falling out of my bottom drawer so I could put my PJs and running leggings away. I also took out a trash bag of clothes to donate that were just taking up valuable space. I am feeling proud and hoping that will carry me into tonight. I have so many things I want to get done.

Here's a peak at my gratitude journal. It felt pretty timely for the last couple days.

Mikayla took this picture of our pup out front yesterday.

Me not sure how I'm feeling yet about future President Trump-- its led to some interesting dinner discussions with the kids though.

But reminding myself of this- Prayer is powerful and God is still on control.

I will be praying daily for President Obama, the transition. Our new president.

And for our Nation.  That people will stop losing their minds. That every American will do their best to make our country a better place. To live lives of LOVE and sprinkled with kindness and grace.

it's all about Grace

Today I am joining a link up over at #SheReadsTruth.The past 11 days or so I have taken part in a study on the book of Titus.

Titus. Little book. Big impact. I read through it again this morning. Trying to decided what I want to write about. So much spoke to me.

It boils down to Grace. Receiving Grace, extending Grace.

Chapter 1 spoke of attitude and reputation.  Not being stubborn or irritable.  Being hospitable, loving what is good. Using good judgement. Being fair and moral. Having self-control.  (verses 7-8)  Lots of things to work on!

Chapter two speaks of mentoring. Women mentoring women. Training. Showing. Teaching. Leading by example and not just words. I am thankful for women who have and continue to mentor me. I am blessed that my own mother is a wonderful mentor. I hope I am passing on a legacy as well. That when people look at my life they see things like...love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. I know I am far from perfect. But hope I can pass on the things I have learned.

I have a heart for women and girls. I miss being part of a moms Bible study and MOPS groups.  Sometimes these days I feel like I am alone on an island.  This blog is like writing messages and sending them out to sea in a bottle, hoping maybe they touch someone, somewhere.

Grace be with you all.
Titus 3:15b

Trust Me

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Trust is so hard. It's been a reoccurring theme for me this week though. I find myself laying my worries at His feet...next thing I know I have them clutched to my chest, anxiety rolling though my gut.

JB and I text each other repeatedly this week. We both seemed to be fighting the darkness that at times threatens to overtake. And YET!!  We have no reason to fear.  No reason to worry... WE ARE REDEEMED! If God is for us, who can be against us! {Romans 8:31} God is faithful. {2 Thessalonians 3:3} Do not fear, for I have redeemed you {Isaiah 43:1}

Yesterday I feel like I was bombarded with Trust.  I literally read two separate Devotionals.  One came up completely randomly in my Bible.  I opened in planning to find a Psalm to mediate on.  But the Bible opened to 1 Kings, the devotional on the facing page slapped me in the face.  Titled "Nothing's Impossible".

As we drove into Church yesterday I noticed the verse on the sign for this week.  " ...in all your ways acknowledge Him and he will make your path straight."  Proverbs 3:6

Yesterday in my lil Sunday School Class we learned the Jesus is all-powerful.  Our memory verse is from Luke 1:37; "Nothing is impossible with God."  My three little girls shouted it with gusto.  "Nothing is impossible with God!"

Nothing.  He knows were I have been.  He knows where I am.  He knows were I am headed.  I hope I am on the right path.  I am looking to Him to direct my path so I must be.  

This past week as I grappled with the future and feeling so inadequate I also read Paul's words from 2 Corinthians 12:9

"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

 So I carry on.  Good things are coming.  Stay Tuned.

New Years....

...is just around the corner. 

 I have been thinking about what the New Year holds for me. Its a time for new starts and fresh beginnings and making a whole bunch of resolutions one does not intend to keep. 

 Last year I choose a word to work on and reflect on throughout the year. I was surprised how much this word popped up in 2011. It was grace. I won't pretend I have mastered it. Some days I am the most ungracious person I know. But it is now something I am more conscious of. Something I am continuing to strive for. 

 There are two things I definitely want to be working on in the coming year are kindness, in my word and in my actions. 

 And organization. Remember- I was doing the 21 day challenge a while back. Yeah, I pretty much fell off the wagon. I figure the New year is a good time to try again so I will be starting again when we return home after the holiday.

Back to the kindness. I often find myself muttering, and sometimes downright yelling in frustration. But it is not right. At Housewives we have adopted the saying, "Will it matter in 5 years?" to help put things in perspective. And most of the time it doesn't. 

For example on Christmas Eve I found myself extremely irritated and was biting my tongue when the MR used the "wrong" wrapping paper to wrap the last of Ryan's gifts. Now, I ask you does it matter after Christmas morning (and arguably even then) what paper a child's gifts are wrapped in? No.

 However, it will matter in 5 years if my three lovies had an angry, frustrated mom.

 

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12 

  Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3

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an opportunity for GRACE....

Right after Mikayla got on the bus I got a txt...she forgot her trumpet could I bring it to school? UGH! And she has band 1st period, meaning I would have to run over like RIGHT NOW! I was so annoyed.

Woke Ryan up, got him and Hannah dressed and out to the van. At the traffic light in town the bus turned in front of me and we followed it the rest of the way to school. My anger dissipated as I drove. At the next traffic light I sent her a txt that I was right behind the bus.

As I parked at the school and saw Mikayla walking towards me from her bus I could see the worry and angst on her face. It made me sad because I could tell she was expecting "The LOOK" and my usual sigh of frustration...."I have the band test today" was all she murmured. I could genuinely smile and rub her arm saying "its OK!!"

It was one of those ah-ha moments for me. I have not shown enough grace as of late to my children, I have been far too busy and frustrated and down right angry. Today I am glad for the opportunity to show GRACE to my eldest daughter...after all that's what mom's are for. To help out when they really need us...and today for my 12 year old forgetting her trumpet on band day, and a test day -- was helping in her hour of need. Doing it with out giving her attitude was showing her grace. After all who among us has not forgotten something when we truly needed it and perhaps someone came to our rescue...

Grace... around Christmas time last year I picked that as my word for 2011. A year later I still have a lot to learn. I am just finishing up the book Scandalous Grace by Julie Barnhill. A suitable ending to my year long journey toward being more gracious. I'd recommend it, Julie is witty and funny and endearing as she shares her struggles, struggles that are all to familiar. And shows how to find Grace through Christ and just "Let it go!"

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grace

Retreat this weekend was positively glorious! It was so wonderful. I had a great time with all the Kirkville Ladies in general and the Housewives in particular ;)

I actually drove to retreat this year. Might not seem like a big deal. But to me it was. A) I had a beautiful new vehicle in which to fit most of the Housewives group so that we could ride together. B) That I was confident enough to make the drive. Even a year or two ago I never would have offered to be the chauffeur. It would have made me to nervous and anxious to the one driving, feeling like everyone was watching my every move, judging my driving ability.

The drive was great. Thanks to a gps we never even made a wrong turn. A rarity for me! We laughed and chatted as we zipped along. We stopped and enjoyed a leisurely, albeit slightly chilly, picnic supper by the lake. Arriving at Chambers we happily joined up with the rest of the Kirkville crew, in the bunk house.

The speaker was phenomenal. The theme was grace. She spoke from her own pain and how God had helped her rise above. How He will extend to each of us His Grace. He does not have favorites, each of us a dearly loved child.

The fellowship was great. We spent so much time just being together, talking laughing, getting to know each other better.

I let go of some bitterness. Left a couple difficult relationships in God's hands. Moving into the future He has for me...letting go of the past I was clinging too.

The Housewives

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 4:16