Five Minute Friday: Change

 Her sweetness, the way she giggles, her dreams, even the way she can be so stubborn -

I wouldn't change a thing!
This little girl of mine is not so little anymore; she is in 7th grade now and 
I'm watching her change right before my eyes. 
I can't wrap my hands around how much it feels as if she grew up overnight.
This girl of mine; she's a lot like a girl I used to know---
she's a lot like me. 
She is in a hurry to grow up- wants to feel accepted- 
wants her opinions to be valued- and she can't wait til she's 18!
She can't wait to go to UCLA, and move out in her own apartment with her BFF,
and is already planning how it will be decorated!
This girl has taught me a lot about life; to accept others no matter who they are,
to value only Gods opinion of me, to slow down and live my life giving myself to 
my family; with their best interest in my heart.
Most of all that change is okay; change is growth!
Thank you God for her!

Remember making these?

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Now it's your turn click here to participate, or just to read some beautiful entries based on one word.

Oh How I Love Fall!!!

My husband and I have a slight disagreement in regards to Fall; this being after 10 years of marriage.

He hasn't changed at all; in fact I used to agree with him on this; but over the years that has changed.

His side-  The Fall wreath does not; I repeat "DOES NOT" go up until AFTER Labor day!

My Side-  The Fall wreath goes up when I feel like it; meaning kids are back in school, last week we had our first 80 degree weather day here in So-cal; the trees are starting to change color-  Therfore I now beleive it goes up-  now- I repeat "THE WREATH GOES UP NOW"!  

Fall is my favorite time of year; it is the season where I have the most decorations- and the longer I can live with Fall- the better.

Therefore; this past weekend

 I put it up...and he didn't take it down ;)

He still thinks I'm crazy but he's being so good about this choice

I have to say I am the first one on my block; in a way that probably makes his side look better.

I say nothing like setting an example- right?

YAY FOR FALL! 

AND TODAY TARGET HAS CONFIRMED MY DECISION:  

LOL

 

From One Southern California Girl to One Back East Boy ...

It amazes me how God connects two people together from such a distance.

My husband and I are so happy to be celebrating our 10 year anniversary.  I grew up in Southern California; Palm Springs area; where you can fry an egg on the asphalt and make a hot dog in a foil boat just by placing it on your patio. VERY HOT! 

He grew up in Rhode Island; where personally I think the accents are very attractive. He could go out and ride motorcycles with friends right by their house, build ramps, take apart bikes and go to Fenway Park; or as they pronounce it "Fenway PAWK"! I've heard him speak about how he built fond memories of being taught how to play baseball by his Grandpa Joe, and yes, shoveled snow to get out of their driveway in the winter time.

We come from two completely different worlds it feels like, and God connected us with such a bond and love for one another that is indescribable and after 10 years of marriage; completely unconditional!  :)

Yes it was love at first sight for us.  Marshalls Department stores is where we worked; and even here- by no means did we work together.  My heart smiles every time I think back on the day we met.

I should back up and say the day I remember meeting him; because a few years before the day I "remembered" meeting him, I did in fact meet him briefly.  I was 19; and my boss told him no way was he allowed to ask me out- lol I didn't even know this was going on!

So a few years after that- It was love at first sight!  At that time he was actually a Loss Prevention District Manager in Northern California being transferred to the Orange County area; I worked as a District Admin. in a COMPLETELY different district in Southern California.  He had to come to our office for a meeting- and we both fell in love immediately; we both knew that this was it and we would soooo be married- but we didn't actually tell eachother we felt this way till months later- and we married a year later!  Our marriage is beautiful, our relationship is beautiful - EVERY SINGLE BIT OF US feels right, it did then and still does.  There is a look we have for each other; that I catch ourselves still sharing to this day- and it makes my heart take flight!!!

This Southern Californian Girl absolutely LOVES her Back East Boy!!!

Five Minute Friday: Join

Join in the fun! 

Watching my kids playing card games at our kitchen table seems like a monumental 

moment of their growing up.
The giggles, the winning, the defeat, the way they look at me like I am the best 

card shuffler on the planet! Im soooo not; but they think I am- 

therefore I will relish every moment of my mommy stardom!

Growing up I was by far the worst shuffler in my family. 

I remember watching in complete and utter awe at my dad,mom and big sister and 

think " How do they do that!!????". 

Looking back I see a little bit of showing 

off on their part as well- 

so join in the fun , have a kid moment and show off your

childhood learned grown up skills!!!

They love it! 

And so will you. :) 
 
P.s. Happy Friday

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Now it's your turn click here to participate, or just to read some beautiful entries based on one word.

Being Set Free in Relationships with Others

                   

In my quest of trying to understand how before I was saved I could so much better hold a conversation without over thinking, or feeling held back; I realize more each day why this is.

Since being saved I know I was set free- but didn't feel that freedom with people or relationships.  It is because God has been transforming me into this new life for years (and He's not finished yet), so I could truly understand from the most inner part of my being how He wants me to relate to others, and why.

My relationships with others have not been as easy- in fact I stated in 2 Friday posts' ago that I have been called "Socially Awkward" - 

I see clearly (barely now) I shouldn't be afraid of this term, and worry so much about what others think; because if I look at what is "Socially ACCEPTABLE" in majority I see I am being transformed and not fitting into the world so well anymore.

I realize I don't want to be "Socially Acceptable" to man- I want to stand out for Christ instead!  After all He created this world, and me for that very reason!

As weird as it may seem "Socially Awkward" I will take as a compliment; because I am stepping away from being a people pleaser- and THAT'S the difference between my then and my now.

Does this mean I should stay quiet in my faith?  Not at all; but I needed to see what all this meant so I wouldn't see "that" being said about me as a negative to hold me back from speaking out His truth into the peoples lives that I love- and He loves.  THIS REALIZATION was HUGE for me.  That type of comment just pushed me further into a corner; because I didn't understand it- it made me very insecure; and seeing this shows me how to make it a positive- it was so I could see where and why I was losing connection; NOT intended to lose connection completely- but to connect in a whole new way, because He has made me a whole new person.  Not to hide away, but to share what He has taught me in a whole new light without fear of a comment like socially awkward.

This label has been a burden in the past, I even wrote in a blog post, a year ago about how crippling this social awkwardness was-little did I know then, that this label would reveal to me a whole journey that He's been leading me on all along!  Something I had to feel as a burden, and even emotionally crippling for me to seek, and for Him to show me why.  This way I can move forward and no longer be afraid to have relationships with people.

And now I can rest in being Set Free in more ways than I ever thought possible!

Musical Sunday:

This weeks musical Sunday is brought to you by:  My Aunt Heidi- lol
I swear she always finds the best videos!!!
Anyway I am loving this song right now!!!

Kari Jobe - Steady My Heart (Official Music Video) from kari-jobe on GodTube.

Inspiring Saturdays

Have you ever read something soooo good that you just want to read it every single day and never forget it!  
This article was that for me.  This has been on my heart; parenting has been on my heart, and I'm sure it will always be on my heart! 
Enjoy this Encouraging article out of Dr. Charles Stanley's In Touch Magazine!

Oh and if your ever looking for an awesome daily devotional click on the picture of the magazine below to sign up for them online; you will get it sent to your home monthly -FOR FREE!  I have read these for 13 Years now!!! The latest is always tucked safely inside my bible,  you will love them! I promise.

 

Let Joy Guide You

Good parenting begins within your child, not yourself

By Winn Collier

   

Last winter, while my wife Miska was traveling, I tended to the house and our two boys. I was downstairs early one morning, enjoying a quiet house and fresh coffee. I heard the pitter-patter of feet on the hardwoods above, the wild tribe arising.

Soon, my quiet space was overcome by raucous energy. Then came breakfast and the rush-to-school madness. No one would mistake me for being proficient at such things. My instructions evolved into a flurry of questions and commands: Brush your teeth, put on your socks, grab your backpacks. Did you brush your teeth—where’s your hoodie—did we eat breakfast? Socks, boys, socks. Brush. Your. Teeth!

Exhausting.

I finally herded the boys to the front door. When I followed, I noticed Wyatt standing underneath the coat rack, mostly hidden by scarves and jackets and hats. Looking closely, you could make out two little legs and two little tennis shoes. Wyatt was holding his breath, convinced he was invisible.

I didn’t play along. The clock ticked. My nerves were sufficiently taut. I tapped his shoe and, more gruffly than necessary, said, “Come on, Wyatt, let’s go.”

He did. Wyatt piled out of the mound of clothes, grabbing his bag. But before heading to the car, he said, “Dad, you didn’t even laugh.”

Oh how I wish I had. In that moment, what my son needed most was not to arrive at school on the dot, keeping my schedule in tact. Rather, Wyatt needed his dad to join him in his joy, to take pleasure in his boyish antics. Wyatt’s heart was awake and open in that mischievous moment, and I missed it. I missed him.

Good parenting requires paying attention to a child’s unique heart and to the particular moments when we are offered a peek into his soul.  Paul tells parents not to “embitter [their] children,” or else “they will become discouraged” (Col. 3:21 NIV). This word embitter means to provoke or irritate. There are many ways this manifests, but I’m attuned to two. We irritate our children when we prod them but don’t truly see them. We provoke them when our commitment is to adjusting their behavior more than cultivating their joy. Joy is a word that dances and sings. It suggests freedom and play.

While we often note Scripture’s instruction to discipline our children, we may need to broaden our sense of what Scripture means by this. Discipline need not evoke grainy images of rigid schoolmasters with harsh words and unyielding temperaments. To discipline means simply to teach or train. We train our children toward good morals and wise judgments. We teach them respect and diligence. Most of all, we teach them to love God.

However, love without joy isn’t love but lifeless obligation. Teaching our children to love and follow God means guiding them in the art of joy.

The Gospels tell us that joy provides one of the sure signals that we have encountered the true life of God’s kingdom (Matt. 13:44). When God’s life runs free in our heart or our home, joy brims over. Joy was no small matter to Jesus. For Him, it was a prime directive. In fact, Jesus taught truth, died on a cross, and rose from the dead, all for the sake of joy—all so that our “joy may be full” (John 15:11 NKJV).

This means we have a powerful clue to help us nurture our children toward their unique way to know and obey God: we look for their joy. We watch for the ways their heart comes alive, for those tender occasions when they simply can’t restrain delight.

My son Wyatt believes that if five words will do, then fifty will do better. He loves to explain and question and talk around a thing, from every possible angle. Sometimes it’s hard on my weary ears. However, there’s something for me to discover about my son amid this joyful expression.

What does it tell me about who Wyatt is and where he might encounter God? What does Wyatt’s joy ask me to surrender? For him, spiritual instruction won’t be primarily me teaching while he’s listening. Rather, I need to ask questions and provoke his imagination, and most importantly, sit back and listen to what he offers in response.

With our younger son Seth, it’s music, painting, and physical exertion that unleashes his joy. Leading Seth into faith means helping him encounter our God of beauty and action, a God of mysterious grace as well as stunning power.

Watching for joy allows me glimpses into the unique life God’s Spirit has crafted in my sons. Leading my boys toward joy is, in fact, leading them toward God.

Copyright 2012 In Touch Ministries, Inc. All rights reserved. www.intouch.org. In Touch grants permission to print for personal use only.

Five Minute Friday: "Stretch"

This is my year to be stretched-

stretched beyond what I ever thought possible 

in my walk with Christ

and in my walk with others.

While being stretched isn't always comfortable; 

I am reaping the life living rewards of following His Precious ways.

As I stretch my arms out wide I feel His presence,

and He never fails to give me a timeline glimpse of where I once was,

to where He has brought me to.

I am utterly overwhelmed by His love I can't keep my arms down-

He is more than worthy of praise!

He is my Amazing!

He is my guide- and He loves me- 

and I

Love- Him - too!

In the midst of beautiful song and worship I am drawn by Him to feel closer-

I stretch my arms out

and

HE SETS ME FREE!

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God"  Colossians 3:16

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Now it's your turn click here to participate, or just to read some beautiful entries based on one word.

Back in the Groove

Our family is back in the school groove!  Yes it's only the beginning of August and the temperatures are raging here- but all in all the boys had a FANTASTIC first day back!  Aren't they getting big?

Did you know this is what it's like to have 2 boys?  This was this morning at breakfast; I promise they were just kidding.

 Above is about the time where I was saying "Alright boys that's enough" literally!  First day back at school I wasn't in the mood to see milk flying across our freshly mopped kitchen floor ;)

At this point I didn't mind too terribly  sending them off to school- I'm kidding I made them make this face. These boys of mine are SO FUN!

And of course this is a total photo-op moment; they wont be clean for long!

It must be so cool having a brother or sister so close in age ! 

 ***

He's sitting in his seat; and then I realized he looks kinda like my Dad in this picture!

And they are so ready for their school year; on a side note I LOVE all the color in Brendens' teachers' classroom- It makes for a great First Day at school photo!

Stay Tuned in a couple weeks for Shiannes' 1st day of school; I don't know how many pictures I'll be able to take- you know those middle schoolers sometimes.

The "Fake" Laugh- Part 2

Perhaps? Well He did!!!

You will have to read the previous post to understand what this post is about.  :)

Yesterday  morning I was having a conversation with a friend when I felt my self begin to laugh at something I knew I could use as an opportunity instead- put off the fake- put on my real ; I literally paused in the middle of my laugh and God showed me right then"here's your chance, your not alone, speak wisdom from your heart because you know I am there - because your friend is certainly someone you care about! It wasn't even anything major; it wasn't a "completely" inappropriate thing she said at all-
He started me off by showing me some small bit of wisdom to speak into my dear friends life!!! I am beyond grateful for this little huge piece of my day!!!! Amen!

The "Fake" Laugh...

I am tired of the fake laugh.  

The laugh I give when someone says something absolutely inappropriate but in order to make them not feel bad about what they say the "Fake" laugh comes out.  

Why can't I just speak up?  Why can't I just get past feeling silently judgmental; and let God take control.  

I hate hearing things that are so un-Christ like; yet catch myself laughing to not make someone feel judged by me for what is being said! I make it look like it was funny; but in my heart I know it's not.

I am realizing that if I can really focus on the reality that God is in control, not me, and the ultimate judge; perhaps He will give me a lovingly way of speaking His truth into others hearts without fear; 

and to trash that fake laugh.

Musical Sunday

Okay I have to set this one up for you; because this band; specifically Julianna and Tyson Morlet have touched me with their stories, their hearts, their pure love for one another, their desire for young teens, and their ability to speak into the hearts of so many!
They have blessed me for years with their beautiful gift of worship. They have blessed my daughter with tons of laughs at youth group- and by being great mentors.
 They shared this video on you tube previewing their band Antiochs' upcoming CD!  I'm so excited!!!
Julianna is also a writer for She Seeks; in connection with Proverbs 31 Ministries-  I believe she is taking a blogging break for now; but be sure to check her blog out-she has such a gift for writing.
And while your at it; she holds a conference each year called Becoming Girls; check out that blog too!!!  It is "PERFECT" for us mothers of pre-teen and teen girls.  There is also a Mom Blog that you can link to from that site!
The Inspiration just doesn't stop for our young girls- I just love it!!!

Inspirational Saturday

My Aunt Heidi shared this video with me a few weeks ago.  It is a touching video about forgiveness way beyond anything we can do in our own power.  

Five Minute Friday: Connect

He Loved us FIRST!

There was a time; long ago when the idea of connect came so easy!  I look back and see myself as a young 20 something.  I see her, a young woman who dealt with connecting to people in a whole different way than she does now.  So different that it's me; and it doesn't even feel like it was me.

Finding a connect, and being social came so easy somehow.  And well now- it's just different. 

I've even been called "socially awkward" ; in a jokingly way- but OUCH!  

Being described as socially awkward was enough for me to reach out to God and seek Him to find out what has happened to me.  Because if I can be that Christian woman who can share Gods love and have the same skills of connecting with people as I did as a young 20 something; well - then - THAT WOULD BE AWESOME!!!

So what happened?

Because of the Five Minute Friday prompt today - CONNECT -  I asked again - and He answered.

Disappointment in my past relationships have developed me to shut down; put my head in my turtle shell and clam up!  LIFE happened; relationships changed and it caused me to connect less.

God showed me this morning that to CONNECT with people doesn't have to be easy; I will be let down; but I need to keep on loving and keep on connecting; REGARDLESS of my fears.

IT GETS BETTER:

He showed me "Clear as Day"  that when I am not responsive to His calling, and when I am not connecting with Him - He never walks away and says "Oh she's just not gonna listen" - or "Oh Man that Heather is so difficult to get along with"!!! and telling all the angels in heaven "Can you believe what Heather just did??? I am not talking to her ever again!"  Or better yet-  "She didn't invite me!"

Nope that's not the God I serve!

The God I serve is the God who Loves me through it all.

How does this teach me how to do better at connecting with others?

To follow His lead and Love others through it all too!

To connect with people NO MATTER what response I get, or whether or not they've let me down in the past.

That before disappointment I didn't even know what "hard to connect with people" was, therefore to not let disappointments affect the Love and connection I have with others.

After all He loves me this way!  I am called to do the same!

Jeremiah 31:3-4

"I have loved you with an everlasting Love; I have drawn you with Loving- Kindness

I will build you up again, and you will be rebuilt,

again you will take up your tambourines 

and go out to dance with the joyful"

God's love is UNFAILING and EVERLASTING; because He Loved us FIRST!

Isaiah 54:10 

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, 

yet my unfailing Love for you will not be shaken

nor my covenant of peace be removed,

says the Lord,

who has compassion on you.

1 John 4:10-12

"This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us 

and sent His son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.  

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us

and His love is made complete in us."

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Now it's your turn click here to participate, or just to read some beautiful entries based on one word.

Musical Sunday

This past year has been rough on our family; this song has been healing to me.  There have been losses in our family that I can't find words for - sometimes you just need a good song to put it into some kind of perspective;
 this has been that song for me.
Written and performed by sweetheart Jamie Grace.

Praying for a President like this one again...

 "Americans yearn to explore lives deepest truths; and to say their entertainment; or their "idea" of entertainment- of sex-violence-and crime is an "insult" to their Goodness and Intelligence.  We are people who believe Love can triumph over hate- creativity over destruction- and hope over despair- and that's why so many millions hunger for God's good news!"  -President Ronald Reagan
 
President Ronald Reagan Tribute: Rare Footage of Him Speaking the Gospel from vids2inspire on GodTube.

http://www.godtube.com/search/?q=Ronald+Reagan

Five Minute Friday "HERE"...

Here I sit...contemplating relationships.  Seeing the beauty in all of them; and seeing how much I've allowed damaged ones to affect the new.
HERE I see Christ- He tells me they wont all be easy; and reminds me they weren't easy for Him either.
There is a connect-
A knowing- that with Him -ALL things are possible. 
HERE I am reminded again- Let Go and Let God!
I read something today on the site in-courage  that spoke to my heart-
It spoke of a Mother helping our Daughters understand what unconditional love is; when sometimes we ourselves look down on ourselves and find it hard to believe that God has unconditional love for us. 
An example of that was written in the post- It stood out to me ; it read ...
"Honey, I may not always like everything you say or do, but I love you unconditionally.  You're my daughter"
This spoke to my heart because God showed me when I read this...
regarding relationships to fill-in the blank!
Such as : "I may not always like everything you say or do, but I love you unconditionally.  You are my ____________________________"
Husband
Daughter
Son
Friend
Neighbor
Cousin
Aunt
Uncle
Grandma
Grandpa
Mom
Dad
and so on....
THIS is what relationships are built on - loving one another UNCONDITIONALLY- and THIS is what that means!
This is how our sweet Father in Heaven Loves us!!! If we can embrace that, then we can share this same Love with others.
So HERE I sit...
watching God unfold the beauty in my relationships with others; showing me a whole new light- a fresh way to view them
HERE
On this earth- through HIS eyes.

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This is the Day!

Real Relationships start today!  I pray that I never forget EACH and EVERY SINGLE ONE of them has a purpose!

Simple and to the point...

Sometimes that's all you need.

I spent my first day off of face book at the beach with a dear friend, her friend and the kiddos-

Soooooo relaxing!