Never A Dull Moment

It's coming! It's almost here! The 2013 Women of Excellence Conference - hosted by our church. . . Someone at work reminded me this morning that we have a long weekend ahead - and I rejoiced and then panic set in.  I had to pat my chest to relax the flutters and take some slow, relaxing breaths to calm myself. It's the last weekend before the conference!  So much to do! So many things to check off my list!  So many things to remember! And yet, I have a feeling that if none of those things were done (don't worry, they will be!), ladies will still come and we WILL meet with Him just the same! This year's conference theme is Winning the Battle.  From the start, I've had a running list of the places that women battle - our mind (usually number 1), our emotions, our marriages, our children, our schedules, our dreams, our futures - and many other areas. What is it that I am battling?  What is that pushes me to the place where I know that I am winning? How do I fi...

So yesterday was one of those days where I let myself get maxed out.  It wasn't one or two big things that pushed me there, just a bunch of little things. Lots of things to care about.  I was doing fine carrying each of these 'cares' until I had a conversation with someone very close to me (no names will be used to protect the innocent). . . It was not meant to be a finger-pointing conversation, but a comment was made that I "need to be passionate about SOMETHING ." That went all over me - and not in a good way. I got quiet and the conversation ended.  I hung up the phone and sat there.  How could I care any MORE about anything?!  Don't they know that I care about everything?!  And I began making a mental list of all the things that I HAVE to care about.  (Come on, you do this too sometimes, right?) - I have to care about the laundry. - I have to care about homework. - I have to care about work (I don't know, something about getting paid ...

Wow! So I totally failed at the daily giving thanks blogging thing. Not because I'm not thankful but just because. I am so thankful for so many things! So let's see if I can list some here: (and in no particular order) 1. My life - waking up every day 2. Peace that passes all understanding 3. My fun family of five 4. My extended family and time with them 5. Coffee with my fave creamers 6. Holidays and decorating and all things Christmas 7. Warm blankets and fireplaces 8. My church family! 9. God's calling and anointing 10. Kid messes (I will miss them someday) 11. God's provision in every area 12. Lessons learned (some easier than others) 13. Technology 14. Healthy children 15. Ability to make choices 16. My home 17. My partner, husband, friend, and love 18. Shopping (shallow much?) 19. Friends who get me 20. The opportunity to paint/write/create 21. My washer and dryer 22. Reliable transportation 23. Freedom 24. Salvation and the promises that a...

Day 3: I am so thankful for cleaning products! I can't imagine not having running water or the ability to wipe things clean. I am thankful that I am healthy and my family is active and busy and dirty. And even I though I get gripes about always having to clean up after five people, I am thankful that I have these four people to clean up after! Happy Saturday!

I'm not a huge "jump on the bandwagon" kind of gal, but I really like the Thirty Days of Thankfulness that people do in November!  So, to go with the flow, here are my Day 1 and Day 2. Day 1: I am so thankful that I am loved and that I married a man who likes to remind me of this fact! If I were really smart, I would have taken pictures of the pretty fall bouquet that he brought me, but I am working on "post-Harvest Festival/Kid #2 birthday/plan cycle" brain here. . . The flowers, they are lovely and look something like this, minus the large peachy roses. Day 2: I am so thankful for Pay Day Fridays! Especially when they fall on a weekend with few plans.  God's timing is always perfect and He is our great provider! Even in providing a weekend of rest and downtime. What are you thankful for?

     I remember the feeling very vividly. . . I was on a fifteen passenger church van with some other teens for a Bible Quiz trip.  There was wrestling and playing around involved (why weren't we buckled?!) and I fell to the floor, on my back, beneath the seats. It was overwhelming!  I had to get up and quick! In the same van, on the same trip, the only thing that had changed was my perspective - and panic set in.  What a miserable feeling to feel stuck in between those high van seats.      What is it about the "in between" that makes us so nervous? In between jobs, in between projects, in between point A and point B.  I know it's the questions and doubts: How long will it take? How bad will it be before I get there?  From mountain top to mountain top - how deep does this valley go? Or from valley to valley, what obstacle will I have to climb? Can I hold out for that next thing? What if I never get there? ...

Inspiration - (noun) -  Stimulation of the mind or emotions to a high level of feeling or activity. -  An agency, such as a person or work of art, that moves the intellect or emotions or prompts action or invention. -  Divine guidance or influence exerted directly on the mind and soul of humankind.   When was the last time you were inspired to do something? I haven't felt a lot of inspiration lately. Not much. At all.  But then something happened. Something started ticking inside - just a little at first. Then it got louder. Then the ideas started flowing again. I can't even explain it - or where it had gone or where it came from. But now. . .  I want to paint. I want to redecorate. I want to start walking again. I can be crafty. I can grow plants. (I have houseplants that have lived since January!) I want to read more.  I need to learn 'this'. I need to ask questions. It's like a light came on and it wasn't ju...