A Sickly Citizen

Caleb, my 7 year old, has been sick for the last couple of days. He even missed school yesterday.

Last night his teacher called. She informed me that Caleb would be receiving an award at the school assembly today and to try really hard to have him there. It was so neat to see how much she cares about him and how well she has gotten to know him.

Oh and I wasn't supposed to tell him.

I was very hopeful until about 2am when he threw up all over himself and his bed. And then did it again an hour later.

I was still determined to get him there.

I waited until the last second to get him dressed and still had to change him because he was sick again. Poor guy!

But I was determined that nothing was going to keep us from getting him there, so I changed him and got everybody in the car. I loaded him up on medicine so that he would at least get through the assembly.

Caleb had no idea he was getting an award and he was ecstatic.

He was one of two students out of 90 that received the Good Citizenship award. It is given to students who display trustworthiness, respect, fairness, caring and responsibility.

My Eulogy

I love to read. I mostly like to read things that can enlighten and encourage me in my walk with Christ. One such book that I've been reading is Mastering the Seven Decisions that Determine Personal Success by Andy Andrews.

It has been life changing for me.

Sometimes I think Mr. Andrews doesn't put enough of an emphasis on God but most of what he says is still true.

Mixed in with each chapter are little exercises to drive home his points. Let me tell ya, I've actually learned a lot about myself. Some things I had to get Michael's help on, and I think those were the most enlightening to me.

One of the exercises is to write my own eulogy. It's not anything that I actually expect to be read at my funeral, so when you read it keep in mind that I'm not saying I am all of those things. They are the things I hope to become. He recommends that you type it up and carry it with you where ever you go and share it with the three most important people in your life. I'm sharing mine here since it's part of my journey.

Hannah Fancher was a woman of virtue. A woman who embodied godliness.

Michael was very definitely #1 in her life, after the Lord. She made sure he was treated like a king. The respect, admiration and submission she displayed to him are no secret to those who knew her. Michael trusted her completely with everything he had, even his checkbook. Her discretion, courage and ingenuity continually provoked our respect for Michael.

She raised, with her husband, five children who live their lives in continual service of Jesus Christ and those around them. In adulthood, her children obviously valued and sought her friendship.

Hannah exuded wisdom. She could always be counted on for wise counsel.

Everyone here has been touched by her kindness. Whether through a meal--either in her home or brought to yours--or a card received full of encouraging words at a time most needed.

This woman truly lived a selfless life.

She worked hard. She never had a secular job but you'd never know a busier woman. She worked tirelessly to show the love of Christ to those around her.

She never ceased to do good, and she always gave the credit where it was due--to our Savior.

I have to say that since I've written this, and when I read it, it inspires me and encourages me to work toward those things. It gives me something to aim at, a visual picture so I'm not just an arrow shot in the dark.

At different times in the book he has you set smaller goals that work toward this larger one. Like, what can you do in the next 48 hours to work toward this ultimate goal? It is so helpful to do that, because I'm not just going to wake up one day and be all of those things, I have to be working them now.

It really is an awesome book! It's so practical, and like I said, it has been life changing for me.

Being June Cleaver

Sometimes I wonder what God was thinking blessing me with these precious souls to train and nurture. When I was expecting the twins people would tell me that God would not give me more than I could handle.

Well, He must have more confidence in me than I do--that's all I can say.

Very often, I let myself off the hook. Allowing my feelings of inadequacy to keep me from using my talents. I am the one talent man who buried his talent. Very sad indeed.

In my search for a miracle cure, something that will suddenly make me June Cleaver, I have read many books.

But, as you might have guessed, so far I haven't found the magic Mrs. Cleaver tonic.

I have found some things that have helped me.

Flylady is a really awesome resource. I am not subscribed to the site, but I have been in the past. The emails get really overwhelming to me. However the information is still good. The whole getting-dressed-to-the-shoes thing really does work. And I feel so good going into my kitchen and being momentarily blinded by the beauty of my sink. I may have to retry it, the site looks a lot different.

Reading the blogs of other women who have a desire to glorify God through caring for their husbands, their home and children has really helped as well. It has aided me in seeing the necessity of serving my husband and nurturing my children in a biblical manner.

Reading the book of Proverbs has given me a new perspective and opened my eyes to a lot of wrong attitudes I have and has provided me with much encouragement as well.


There is so much information out there, and so much that I have left to learn. I have so much growing to do!!

Works For Me Wednesday

Last summer I traveled, with my five little monkeys, the 1600 miles to Dallas, TX to visit their grandparents. Michael couldn't go for various reasons but we decided that I would take the kids and go anyway.

I was a little nervous but felt confident that we could make it. I wanted to be as frugal as possible and remain sane until I arrived at my in-laws.

I'm not sure I succeeded in the latter, but we made it anyway.

I did a lot of planning before I left. I knew where I would stop and how far it would be before I could stop again.

I did research to find out where the cheapest gas prices were and planned to stop there. I definitely didn't want to get caught in Ludlow, Ca in need of gas. I'm sure the owners of the two gas stations within 100 miles laugh heartily each time they sucker someone into paying a dollar more for a gallon of gasoline than they would pay anywhere else in the country.

The morning we were set to leave, I got up ridiculously early and went to the store. I purchased fruits and veggies that could easily be eaten and would make very little mess. I kept the ice chest and all the food in the passenger seat, next to me, so they could be easily accessed. We didn't eat out at all on the way there.

I kept a 'shoe bag'. Every time we got into the car, I had all of the kids hand me their shoes. I placed them in the bag until it was time to get out again. I didn't want to waste time looking for everyone's shoes every time we stopped. Especially since I was sure there would be a few bathroom emergencies and being delayed would cause obvious problems.

I traveled very little at night, as I knew it would be more difficult to get help in a timely manner and we could be abandoned in the middle of nowhere overnight.

Other than a blow out on dead man's curve, everything went smoothly. We made it safely and had a marvelous time.

Although I would always rather have my Dragon Slayer along, I would do this again if I needed to. I would definitely do all of these things again, as they definitely made the trip go more smoothly.

Suddenly, I'm not half the man I used to be...

As I sat in the stands of my cousin's high school graduation ceremony, memories of my own came flooding back. The sense of wonder and excitement. The expectation that we would be the class that everyone remembered.

I remember all of the things that I wanted to do.

Not once did I consider failure. Or not accomplishing my dreams.

But one by one the opportunities came and one by one I let them pass.

I remember feeling like I had my whole life ahead of me, that I had plenty of time.

I think back now to all of the moments I wasted, to all of the poor decisions I've made. And I can't get those back.

All of that is why I am on this journey. I may never be a children's book author or live in Chicago or New York, but I or more correctly, my Lord, can change the course of my life. I can "Trust in the Lord with all" my "heart and lean not to" my "own understanding. In all" my "ways acknowledge Him and he will make" my "paths straight."

I very much identify with Jonah when he was in the belly of the fish. The prayer he prayed is so amazing to me. Especially the line "Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs." I can't imagine anything, anywhere that would be worth giving up His grace. I do know that at one point or another I have made that devestating choice.

Jonah 2

From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God. He said: "In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry. You hurled me into the deep, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me. I said, 'I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple. 'The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head. To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you brought my life up from the pit, O LORD my God. "When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple. "Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the Lord." And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

The past is gone, I will no longer allow it to define my destiny. By the grace of God, I am released from the shackles of my own sin..

I will cling desperately to His grace, and with a song of thanksgiving, I will live a life of worship. I will take the next step in my journey.

Forgiveness Famine

A good portion of my life has been spent hording forgiveness. I carry it around like a bag of flour on the clearance rack during a famine. I withhold it from everyone but those I deem 'worthy' of it.

But, honestly, who deserves it? I certainly don't. So who am I to withhold it from anyone else?

The only thing that un-forgiveness leads to is misery.

So on my path to wisdom and the heart of God, I find I need to let go of my forgiveness. I need to bestow it freely and exorbitantly.

Every day I must wake up and make the decision that when my husband does something offensive, I will forgive him. Before he even asks. I commit to loving those around me, using my Savior as my Guide. I commit to forgiveness and compassion even before the offense happens, so that I will be prepared when the time comes I will react with grace and compassion.

I will no longer horde my love and forgiveness but I will give it freely. Abundantly. Until it hurts. Because no amount of pain I go through will be anything compared to the pain my Lord endured to forgive me. And He did it before I asked Him to.

Lies Satan Tells Me and the Truth that Sets Me Free

Life is not fair.
I don't deserve this.
Why is this happening to me?
It's not my fault.
I can't believe they did that to me!
If they would do this, then I would be a better person.

Have you ever wondered why some people are perpetually happy, while others are perpetually angry, depressed or bitter?

I continually struggle with my attitude. I often get burdened down by the above statements and questions.

It's so easy to pawn my faults onto someone else. To blame them for my bad attitude or lack of godly character. If it's their fault, it's their responsibility to change it, right?

If I truly want to be happy, if I truly seek God's wisdom and character, I must take responsibility. I must stop blaming others. I must stop thinking of myself at all.

Life is not about me. It is about Him.

I must diligently fix my eyes upon Jesus and "consider Him" so that I "will not grow weary and lose heart".

Without Him, my life has no meaning--sweeping the floor is just picking up dirt. But with HIM, sweeping the floor has eternal value. I am honoring my Savior with every sweep of my broom.

Life isn't fair. I don't deserve the love of my Savior. But He gives it anyway. This is happening to me because He loves me so much, that even when I rejected Him, He died for me. It isn't my fault that He took away my sins and I can't believe He did that to me, but He did. Because He died for me, to save me, I can be a better person.

Our God is truly an awesome God!

Works For Me Wednesday

I am always, always looking for an easier, and more efficient way of completing chores. Cleaning the bathtub is one! So when I discovered this method of getting my tub, white white I was so excited.

First, I fill the tub up with hot water, adding a little bleach. I then take my shower curtain down and add the liner to soak as well. I allow that to sit while I'm doing other chores. I then drain the bath tub and wipe it with a rag. And wha-la! It's a beauty!

Captains Orders: Burn the Ships!

When Hernando Cortez set foot on the Yucatan Peninsula, he knew of all the hundreds of conquerors who had failed at his task. Riches, jewels and wealth beyond measure lie ahead. All he, and his men, had to do was take it.

But taking it was no easy task. Conqueror after conqueror had set out with this goal, and died trying to achieve it.

Cortez and his men landed on the beach and immediately Cortez ordered the ships to be burned. He gave his men an ultimatum--either go home on the ships of the people they came to conquer, or they wouldn't go home at all.

Cortez succeeded.

I find ships in my heart that are in need of burning. I set out at a task, only to recant when I am criticized or meet obstacles. I have been unable to find solutions, because I am busy trying to find an escape.

The question is: What boats in my mind continue to float the excuses and limiting beliefs that are keeping me from getting what I say I want?

Criticism from others and my own limiting beliefs about myself have kept me from doing more things than I can count. I start out with enthusiasm and determination but I allow each little criticism to chisel away at my focus and eventually, I give up.

I often tell myself "you can't do that" or ask "who do you think you are?" or "if that person isn't doing that, then what makes you think YOU can do it?"

I can no longer allow my own limiting beliefs and the opinions of others to stagnate my growth. I must have a decided heart. I may not be able to accomplish much on my own, but "His strength is made perfect in my weakness". "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". I am NOT good enough but my LORD is, and He is standing ready to give me the desires of my heart.

I desperately want to be a woman after God's heart. I want to instill a love and fervor for my Savior in my children.

I have a decided heart.

My ships are burning. Jesus is my goal. There is no turning back. I am at the mark. I am ready. Here I go.

Gratituesday

I love this time of year. It's so nice to be able to open up doors and windows to let in the lovely breeze. There are cool days, there are warm days and there are scorching days. And no matter what temperature it reaches outside during the day, it will eventually cool off to a very reasonable temp.

I am so thankful that in spite of the 103 degree weather we had today, that it is now in the mid 70s. It really helps in cooling costs for things to cool so much at night. That bay breeze is such a blessing!!

"But that is not all, oh no that is not all..."

Michael laid off last November. A while back his benefits expired.

About a month ago, there was a mix up and Michael didn't receive his check. Or the next one. We finally did receive them and were able to keep everything turned on. But we have been a little concerned about how we were going to deal with certain situations that have arisen.

Well, today we received 2 different checks and a Target gift card in the mail.

I am continually baffled and awed at God's goodness. I know in my heart that I don't deserve any of it, and I am so humbled that in spite of that fact he blessed us anyway.

Don't we serve an AWESOME God?

My Hallway Closet With Before and After Pics

One of my greatest goals, in the coming months, is to create a home atmosphere that will glorify my heavenly Father. I believe that I can do that by creating a home that will be a haven to my husband, children and any one who enters it.

So, with that in mind...

Closets are so easy to just close the door and forget what's in them. And that's what I've done for too long, in my hallway closet. So today I will tackle it! I'll post before and after photos this evening!