Three words for 2011

Happy New Year Readers and friends,

After reading this recent New Year's blog post, I thought strongly on the three words that I want to drive this year for me. These are the words that I came up with.

Faith
I have a trusting relationship with God. He is my provider, my protector, my everything. Faith in Him has brought me through alot. However, sometimes I waver and become stressed and overwhelmed. Stressed over things I have no control over, overwhelmed with situations that He promised to take care of. Over and over again He has proven Himself to me and yet I worry. So for this year I want to have a stronger Faith in God and what He is able to accomplish in my life. For my family, for my business, for me. My pastor's new year message inspired me, He encouraged those who did not see their dreams become a reality in 2010 to hold on and know that God will bring them to fruition , maybe in 2011 but definitely when you are mature enough to handle the promises. Our waiting is simply time for God to mature us so that we could handle the fulfillment of the promise. It is almost like wanting to have your drivers license at 13....it will happen but you will have to wait. If you get it at 13 you will not be mature enough to handle the rules of the road, the quick response sometimes needed as driver, the caution that comes with knowing the dangers of misusing your vehicle. I added this at this for this work but it could also be attached to word #3

Complete

I want to complete the things that I set out to do. I sometimes set so many goals for structure at home and for me personally. I have set goals for my business and I want to learn to structure myself to complete these goals. This is year I want to complete my Bachelors degree, I only need 6 credits and I have sat around for 5 years and not completed what I needed to. I would like to start a weight loss regimen and complete it, since I am entering the Fabulous Forties...I want to be fabulous. I want to complete the blogs I start, there have so many starts in my head and on paper and they never seem to get completed. So for everything I start I want to set a completion time and/or date in 2011.

Dream

I was watching my favorite wedding planner last night...David Tutera, and he told the bride to never stop dreaming. I never want to stop dreaming and I want to dream big for this year and for the rest of my life. It has always been something that I try to instill in my girls and should be something I follow for myself. I want to trust that my dreams can come true. This word is really closely tied to my first word, For "I can do all thing, through Christ who strenghtens me" Phil 4:13. I have to have faith that "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in (me) will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" Phil 1:6.

Thinking about Purpose

Last night I had a wonderful opportunity to gather with some friends and sit at the feet of a Pastor, friend, mentor. We laughed and reminisced about the past, he has been instrumental in shaping all of us at some point or another when we were young. In the his true nature he posed a question about purpose, Do you feel that you have accomplished or are working in purpose? If not how and what do you need to do to start working on that? Wow what a question , not an easy one. As we all starting talking, he would ask questions to help us dig deeper and find a deeper meaning. He picked up on a word that we all used at some point....passion. We all talked about a deep passion we had for this or that. Passion that was either driving us or should be driving. How do we get to fulfill our passion and how does it tie into the bigger plan that God has for us.

It was great how he broke down vision. He said that we need to see the end first and then fill in the blanks to get there. He also said don't get to caught up in figuring out the details because God already knows them. When you think that nothing is happening, you should not be sitting around complaining, you should be be preparing for when God makes the provision for the vision. Breaking down the word Pro-before and vision- to see. God has already seen it. God has also given us free will so He gives us the plan or vision and we need to do something with it.

We are all filled with potential, our mentor mentioned that at the end of our lives we should be empty of potential. So if there is anything you are saying I wish I could have done it , then you should do it.

2Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. What a great thought that God has given us this word to remind us that he has our back.

If you are pregnant with passion, Give birth to the vision.

At the end like paul we could say "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" 2 Timothy 4:7

Cut down on the amount of potting soil needed by crumpling plastic bags to fill the bottom of a deep pot (just be sure that you don’t cover the drainage hole, if there is one). | 50 All-Time Favorite New Uses for Old Things | Real Simple

I saw these uses for things around the house and thought I would share. Really interesting

.50 All-Time Favorite New Uses for Old Things | Real Simple

I am the World's Greatest!!

Everyone should have that song in their lives that gets them out of the dumps and encourages them to move forward. I have several..this one in particular was being sung by pre-schoolers at their graduation and I thought "how appropriate!". They need to receive all the validation they need as early as possible. Before they are tainted by the world and as a friend put it the Eeyores of the world come into her life.

When I think about the words, it is not a bragging statement its the words that you need to move past those deep valleys in your life. It is that motivational song for the struggling entrepreneur (me) , realizing that you will make it (yes I am crying again)

My baby graduated

How time flies? Last week were two monumental events in my baby's life.

She graduated for the first time and she turned five. I don't know which was most exciting for her since turning 5 seemed to be the equivalent of turning 21. She did ask me if now (that she is five) she could do anything she wants LOL....ROFLOL. Of course not I answered to her dismay.

As I watched her on the stage tears came to my eyes ( ok I had streams of tears on my face). I remembered bringing her home from the hospital and know she was on stage singing and recieving her first diploma. I thought that each time she got one 5th grade, Middle School, High School, College ...etc, I will cry, silently reliving all of the previous graduations and all of the first in her life. My older girls laughed at me, but I let them know that I did the same at their graduations. These are the moments that make you smile and cry at the same time. It will go in my memory bank for use on emotionally rainy days.

Does God still speak to us?

Does God still speak to us today? You have probably read the story with Moses and the burning bush or any other prophet that heard from God. I sometimes wish I could have a burning bush. To hear God clearly, to find direction clearly. I have in the last few years adopted a little sying when talking to God. I ask "God please be very clear when you speak to me in regards to ________, I am a little slow sometimes and reading signs does not come easy". Funny enough every time I have done it he is very direct in His answer. No, I did not have a burning bush experience but I did happen to hear a sermon or read a book or verse, or hear from a friend.

I remember when I was trying to make a decision to leave my job; we had recently purchased our first home and leaving would be logically crazy. However, going to work was a burden, I felt a heaviness everytime I entered my office...a sadness. So I prayed and I talked to friends. Now you have to be very careful when you are praying for something and the people you chose to share with or ask advice from. If they are not in tune with God, you will get thrown of course.

Well I spoke to my friend and I told her that I did not know what to do. I said I had not heard clearly from God what He wanted for me. Her response " Well, I have not had devotion yet, but let me see what my devotional is saying today. And that is when God spoke. After she finished reading she hung up, later she told she was so shocked that she felt she could not add anything to what God had just said.

I have kept those words since I left my job and whenever I am feeling overwhelmed I read them and then remind God of what He said.

Don't get stuck in that place of indecision. Make a choice today and trust
God. Stop worrying about what you have no control over and trust God! Yes,
the short-term result of your choice may be painful. But, Sis, fear not.
God will give you grace to endure and courage to hold your ground. You've
put this off long enough. Listen, counterfeit peace is worse than no peace
at all because you live in fear knowing that at nay moment it could change.
Whoever you are today, do what you need today - do what you need today - do
what you need and know to do. Let God work out the details. He is there -
on the other side of that choice-waiting to pick up the broken pieces!
Trust God!


This was a time (not the only time) when God spoke to me. Have you ever had a time when God spoke

Writer's Workshop: Soundtrack of my life

This week's writing prompt from Mama Kat is creating a soundtrack of your life with 10 songs. Here is my attempt:

1.If I can help somebody, as I pass along,If I can cheer somebody, with a word or song,If I can show somebody, how they're travelling wrong,Then my living shall not be in vain. Mahalia Jackson

I really love this song. I think about my life and if at the end of it I did not make a change then I did not live a life worth living. When we reach out to others to help, cheer, guide without looking for anything in return you in turn are also touched and sometimes forever changed. So if there is a legacy that I would like to leave to my kids would be one of service to others.

2. Open the eyes of my heart, Lord Open the eyes of my heart I want to see You, Michael Smith

I want to see God in my life every aspect of my life. Happiness, sadness, confusion, anger it is important that in every area of my life I find an opportunity to find God at work. And He is always at work even when we don't understand what is going on. I want God to open the eyes of my heart to see the beauty in people and in the world and to love with out prejudice or bias. To love as God loves.

3. You are my strength when I am weak, You are the treasure that I seek, You are my all in all , Dennis Jernigan

God is a constant source of strength always especially when I feel weak and vulnerable. He has given me strength do things that I would never have done in my own strength. This is also the song that touched my daughter's heart and helped her accept the Lord in her life

4 Love,So many people use your name in vain
Love,Those who have faith in you sometimes go astray
Love, Through all the ups and downs the joys and hurts
Love, For better or worse I still will choose you first Musiq Soulchild

Not to be corny but love really makes the world go round. I am a hopeless romantic always choosing too see the possibility of love. I am a sucker for a good love story, tissues and sobs all the way.

5. There's always gonna be another mountain,I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle, Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb Miley Cyrus

This is a motivational song for me in regards to my business. I have to keep climbing even when I want to give up and keep believing that I am going to be a success. I am going to appreciate the challenges and bumps along the way when I am a success.

6. In my daughter's eyes I am a hero,I am strong and wise and I know no fear
But the truth is plain to see, She was sent to rescue me
I see who I wanna be
In my daughter's eyes Martina McBride

I have been blessed with three beautiful daughters that make me feel so important and they have no idea how each of them individually bring so much to my life. The really have no idea how they lift my spirits , and make my heart smile. They keep me laughing out loud.

7. Pass you by, see you smile and I must admit I get
So emotional, I think I’m falling for you
Bought a pillow for my room (I thought about you)
Heard Alicia sing a tune (I thought about you)
It sends my rocket to the moon
Every time I think about you Luther Vandross Think about you

I have been married for 15 years and my hubby was my prom date. I like the idea of thinking of our love as new and fresh it keeps us from falling into a rut. It especially helps when I really want to throw him over a cliff, then I think maybe I will keep him.

8. Here and now, I promise to love faithfully (Faithfully)
You're all I need, Here and now
I vow to be one with thee (You and me), hey
Your love is all (I need) I need Luther Vandross Here and Now
This was the song that I danced to at my wedding. Enough said!

9. You find your faith has been lost and shaken
You take back what's been taken
Get on your knees and dig down deep
You can do what you think is impossible
Keep on believing, don't give in
It'll come and make you whole again
It always will, it always does
Love is unstoppable Rascal Flats Unstoppable
This is a song that so encouraging, I have my moments of being depressed but I don't like to stay there and songs like these keep me going . I also try to encourage others, funny enough I found that event when i encourage others despite what may be going on in my own life I am in turn encouraged.

10. Baby, Baby, Baby oooooh Justin Beiber

This song made it on my list because it is the current song on replay at my house. I don't what it is about this guy but my 4 year old is gaga over him.

Picasso...Monet...Hmmmm

We all have the multiple art projects that come home from school. Some make it to the refrigerator..some to the art bin...and some well we will maintain the secrecy of their location.

But my 9 year old brought home a painting and I have to say it is one of my favorites from her.



Move over Monet.. here comes my baby

Blog Hopping

It is fun to bloghop , there are some outrageously funny women out there. I just can seem to tell stories that come out as funny.

Jenners@ Life with a little one had me rolling on the floor.

One of the writing prompts this week from the writer's workshop,@ Mama's losin it was "Have you ever"

Have you ever sang along with a song from Nickjr ..when your child was not around?, I have and I actually have favorites is that crazy. I like that lady with the guitar, she always has some great songs. And DJ Lance on Yo Gabba Gabba, they get some cool people on the show. The Backyardigans, "Into the thick of it, Into the think of it"

Have you ever looked at a word that you have typed millions of time and wonder if it is spelled correctly? I have

Have you ever cried during a commercial , Hallmark, Coke, Hallmark, Not tearing up or getting misty but sob crying. Ok I don't think I sobbed but definitely bigger than getting misty.

Have you ever wondered where Max and Ruby's parents are? (If you see prompt #1 you will understand)

Kids say the darndest things

This Mother's Day, my four year old brought home a wonderful gift. She made me 18 again. Her teachers helped her to complete a card by answering a few questions about me, here are her answers.



When she gave it to me I responded as all moms do with much excitement. I told how great of her to think that I was 18 years old. She paused and then asked "Are you really 18?". I said no and my little diplomat responded well that's ok , because you look it. That was a great Mother's Day gift.

Tranquility

Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable Benjamin Franklin

Tranquility as defined by websters is being 1 a : free from agitation of mind or spirit ,a tranquil self-assurance, b : free from disturbance or turmoil

Tranquility is it such an illusive concept. Will it come when my business is making millions of dollars? or when my children are grown and out the house? will it come when I have all that I want?

I really think that tranquility is a state of mind. I have never been in a room with a terminally ill patient, but when I have seen it on TV or spoken to those who have experienced it, I have never heard of an individual who was restless and agitated. There were no concerns of what sale is going on or even of world affairs, but simply a peace that has been made.



In the midst of chaos in our world, in our personal lives and sometimes our own minds, I believe we can experience tranquility. Now when you have been home with children under the age of five, who have gotten into everything and left you feeling crazy at the end of the day, tranquility is a fleeting concept. Tranquility goes beyond our external circumstances. It is something found deep inside, a true contentment with who you are. A feeling that even if at the moment you are not in the most ideal situation, you will be OK. It is that mental "Calgon take me away moment" in the midst of the chaos. As I get older I am trying to find my tranquility in purpose. Doing things that have a purpose, that will impact someone in a positive way. A Random Act of Kindness perhaps; It may not be advertised in the local paper but it has given me satisfaction and peace. Stopping to read a book to your 3 year old even though you have so much to do.

Don't let tranquility be somewhat of a mystery, an unattainable dream. Find tranquility in the smallest moments. Even with the small fingerprints on the wall and the messy room you cleaned just 30 minutes ago, find tranquility. Its like taking a mental "tea" break or a candle lit bath. Experience that breathable moment despite the outside forces telling you otherwise.

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

Poem

The writing prompt from Mama Kat is allowing me a poetry moment.

It has been a journey
We made it through finals
Late night studying
Late night partying
So much fun
Some guys were hot and some were not
Care packages from home filled with hometown goodies
Long lectures
Made shorter by naps
Chemistry...we wont speak of the agony
Microeconomics pull my nails out one at a time please
The drone of the professor's voice
Made my hour into more like a week
You were a great roomy
So hard to say good bye
Although, sometimes you got on my nerves
Your dirty clothes on my side of the room
Borrowing my clothes without asking
You ate my food
You had your friends sit on my bed
One year of your horrible snoring
All of a sudden
It's not so hard
It's not so hard to say "good-bye"

Humility

The more you lose yourself in something bigger than yourself, the more energy you will have...Norman Vincent Peale



Tapping into another of Ben Franklin's virtues, I will undertake humility. Oh, humility...I think many have missed out because they lacked humility. An inability to stop long enough to see or acknowledge our faults, especially when pointed out by others, this may have caused us our friends. An inability to recognize authority, this may have caused us our jobs. To see the bigger picture, to lose ourselves in something bigger, this may have allowed us to miss an opportunity to serve others. I have found that those who have achieved the most fulfillment in their lives are humble. They were not to old to learn from someone younger, they weren't to rich to visit the poorest slums in Africa, they weren't too smart to sit on the carpet of a kindergarten class and be a kid.

How many times have you been called out, put on blast? You know are wrong yet because you refuse to let go of pride you refuse correction. Correction that can save your life, your finances, your soul.

You know I truly believe that God sent our children to teach us humility, and unless we are able to learn the lesson that is being taught we are in turn teaching our children not to be humble and the cycle becomes vicious and one child, turns into a family and into a community of individuals who lack humility. Are you able to apologize to your children? Let them know that they are right? Or are you incapable of receiving correction? Can correction only come from someone older? Someone who has more? Somehow do we feel that by being humble we turn into rugs and all of a sudden everyone will walk all over us?

The funny thing about humility it is one of those foundational values, if it is missing you may appear a little lopsided.

Does humility have a set of rules "Only be humble if.....
Actually there are some rules that I appreciate and hope that I can use as often as possible:

Proverbs 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

Proverbs 18:12
Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.

Proverbs 22:4
Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life.

Zephaniah 2:3
Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD's anger.

Philippians 2:
[ Imitating Christ's Humility ] If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

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

Temperance

I visited a blog recently, Everyday Kathy, and I really enjoyed going through her posts. I came across Ben Franklin's 13 Virtues while on her blog. As I went through them I thought that they would be great starters for some blog posts. I don't know much about Ben Franklin's life but doing some research on these virtues, it is said that he was partially inspired by Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."

I don't know if I will do them in order of if I will write on all of them but I thought I would start with Temperance.

What is temperance? According to Webster's it is 1 : "moderation in action, thought, or feeling : restraint 2 a : habitual moderation in the indulgence of the appetites or passions.

I believe that temperance is not something that is very popular in today's society. We live in a " I want it" now society. A society filled with excess and lack of self control. If temperance or moderation was practiced I wonder if there would be so many of us in debt; the need to keep up with the neighbors and live beyond our means. A lack of restraint have landed many in sticky situations, and our jails may include a population of those to which temperance was not even a thought. Our various health problems brought on by an excess of food and other extremes that include body image distortions in some of our teens, have our lives out of balance.

Even as Christians many of us have rushed ahead of what God has truly purposed for our lives and in our rush to "fix it ourselves" we don't stop to think and end up in worse situations. Thank goodness that we have a merciful God who picks us up after our mistakes and brushes us off and helps us to get back on track.

I want to bring moderation to my actions, thoughts and feelings, taking time to think on the goodness of God, the goodness in people and the potential for greatness in everyone. My pastor message this week was on Psalm 23, and he talked about allowing God to "lead us by still waters" allowing Him to make us "lie down in green pastures" and slowing down long enough to allow "goodness and mercy" to catch up with us.

What are your thoughts on temperance?

It's Earth Day!!!!

Today is Earth Day, hopefully you don't need this day to remind you to take care of the Earth God has given us. However, today I want to share tips to making our carbon footprint a little bit smaller. Its small steps and hopefully it is not to late.

These tips from Care2make a difference:

Tip 1: Save Energy By Washing Your Laundry in Cold Water Only
Almost all of the energy used by a washing machine goes towards heating the water, so by simply turning down the temperature, you can really make a dramatic impact on energy use.

I practice this one, I only wash in hot water about once a month and the rest of the time I leave it cold.
Tip 2: Save Water By Using As Little Water Possible To Wash Your Dishes

If you have a newer dishwasher, chances are it uses less water than you would hand-washing. Modern dishwashers use only about 3 to 10 gallons of water per load. Some easy tips for your dishwasher: scrape plates instead of pre-rinsing, use energy-saving options when you can, and only wash full loads. Read more

I absolutely love this one, I hate hand washing dishes!!

Tip 3: Save Waste and Water By Switching From Bottled to Filtered Water

The bottled water industry is extremely wasteful. It involves millions of barrels of oil each year and the process actually wastes water. Since bottled water is often consumed on the go, most bottles do not actually end up getting recycled. Read more

Tip 4: Save Energy and Waste By Switching from Regular Batteries to Rechargeables

Rechargeable batteries embody one of our favorite principles: reuse. While traditional batteries can only be used once, rechargeable batteries, as the name implies, can be used again and again. By using the same batteries over and over again, you cut back on the waste created by disposable batteries. Read More


Tip 5: Save Waste By Buying in Bulk

Packaging has gotten a bit out of control these days. More and more we’re seeing items that are wrapped with layer upon layer of unnecessary materials. One way to combat that problem is to buy necessities in bulk. If it’s something you use a lot, it’s worth it to upgrade to a larger size or multi-pack. Read More

Here are some blogs that celebrate Earth Day , every day:

FocusOrganic.com

Consceintious Confusion

Tinygreenmom.com

GreenishPink.com

Stop by a great giveaway

I am mad at myself!!!!

I am an entrepreneur. I believe that I will be successful at business, I am a wedding planner, I have an invitation business and I am currently working on a favor business. It has been a dream of mine for over 10 years. Four years ago I left my job after moving to a suburb of NY from the city. The commute, the price of the commute, what I would spend on childcare and the total destruction of my family life made it an easy decision. I decided to take my talents and build a business....this is not a hobby!!

I love the time that I have to dedicate to my children and the time I have to dedicate to my business. However over and over again I get the question when are you going back to work, maybe you should go into teaching , why don't you go back and get another degree. Funny thing is I believe I am working, building a dream business, building on my passion.

But as usual I drown out my dreams and succumb to the direction of others. All my life I spent pushing my dreams to the background. I started thinking and thought I should go back for my Masters in Education, yeah I would make a good teacher (right?), its taking a while for business to pick up anyway.

What am I thinking? I am going to be 40 next year anyone who makes a career change at this stage of their lives makes it to their dream career...helloooo. While I love the idea of imparting knowledge and working with kids (anytime before 4th grade)...this is not my passion. As my friend put it it would be a job, not a dream career. I would be deferring my dream , because others feel that a traditional route would be better.

I am MAD because I don't have the guts to tell these people that this is my dream and it is not just a hobby. I can't verbalize to them how hard I am working to make my dreams happen, How deeply rooted this passion is. The fact that as I am writing down my thoughts I have tears in my eyes because I know how much I want this to work. I am mad because time and time again I stifle my dreams because I the words of others have me second guessing myself. The hard part is that the others aren't people I just met on the street, I don't really care about their opinions ( hope that doesn't sound mean) but it is the voices of those closest to me that are the hardest to ignore.

I try to teach my girls boldness , how to stand up for what they believe; Lessons that they have grabbed on to so tightly that it amazes me. I am mad because I am not taking my own advice.

It would be crazy to spend two years of my life building on someone Else's dream for me....wouldn't it.
I am mad at myself for allowing my conviction be swayed by others.

So what do I do with this anger? Anger is supposed to propel you to do something? A really good friend told me I must not be angry enough, because if I was really angry I would do something about it.

Passion

Someone on one of my online networks asked a question, What are you passionate about?
I thought I take time to answer this question on my blog. What is passion anyway?

According to Websters it is "a strong liking or desire for or devotion to some activity, object, or concept : an object of desire or deep interest. intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction"

Based on my understanding of passion and Websters definition , here is what I am passionate about:

God: I have a full devotion to Him. He is my creator and when I look at my life I don't know where I would be without God in my life. Serving a faithful God who is there in the midst of the most chaotic situations.

My Husband: We have been together for 20 years and married for 14 but I still am passionate about the man I married. I love love songs they have away of speaking your heart, I have several songs that I dedicate to my hubby and two of them are True Love by Faith Evans because it reminds me in part of our relationship. It speaks of the ups and downs but a commitment to love and growing together.

My Girls: I love my girls , they drive me crazy sometimes but I wouldn't have it any other way. They each bring teach me something different about life and I love them with all of my soul.

Wedding Planning: Has there ever been something that no matter how many books you read on the subject or how many shows you watch you still look at it is your first time? That is what wedding planning is for me. I may not have many years of experience but I have passion and it drives me to do the best for my clients. To help them fulfill that dream they have of their special day. It is a passion that drives me to constantly study and be up to date on new skills and trends and love it every time.

Service

This week we had a guest speaker at church and he was talking about service. It was a great message about serving and finding opportunities to serve in our churches, community, jobs, homes. The speaker offered some direction in knowing how and where to serve; if you are thinking about serving in your community and don't know exactly where to commit your time..then listen. Listen to whats going on around you , maybe they are community projects already on their way that you could be a part of. If it is in your place of worship get in tune with the leaders vision for your place of worship and jump in to service.

Have you ever gone to an amusement park and rode on a roller coaster or maybe one of those water rides with the log looking vessels? You ever notice that as soon as one car comes down , a bunch of people exit to the left and then there are people waiting to enter from the right? Well I got an image in my head that service is something like this or should be, there are always individuals serving but when they are done serving, there should be no hesitation for other to jump in and continue filling the need.

Where do you see yourself serving? We all have a call to serve others. I believe that in serving we plant seeds that will be watered by others and eventually bring a great harvest.

Galatians 6:9 (New International Version)
9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Back to High School

I wasn't the most popular person in High School, I had a few really good friends and still connect with them today. High School wasn't horrible, I just know that I probably would not go to High School Reunion because no one would remember me. There were times in high school when certain people dismissed what I was saying or straight up laughed at me. They never took me seriously or deemed anything I said as important. I consider myself a fairly well spoken individual, so when I seemingly experience that same thing with adults today I get upset. Your standing in a room with a group of adults trying to provide them with information or requesting information and they stare at you as if you are speaking a foreign language.

I remember taking a class in college that talked about the biases that are place on a speaker by the listener, sometimes even before they begin to speak. The speaker is basically tuned out before the listener ever tuned in. Maybe its something they are wearing or how they did their hair. Maybe is who they are associated with or not associated with. How many of us listen this way? Possibly missing out on something truly important because of a pre-imposed bias.

Do we read blogs that way? Maybe the writer does not have a lot of followers or advertisers. No cute graphics or catchy introductions, do we miss out on connecting with someone that may have something really impactful to share because of this?

These are just my random thoughts provoked by recent encounter by a biased listening audience.

I would love to hear your thoughts. Please share!!!

Got hubby hooked on coupons

The other day my hubby and I went to the supermarket, even before we got there we prepared for a covert shopping mission. We stood at the kitchen counter he checked through the coupons I just clipped and I looked through the weekly supermarket flyer. We began by pairing sales with coupons, and best of all it was the doubler flyer, woohoo! About once a month they send out a flyer with doubler coupons that will double any $1.00 manufactures coupon.

We went down each aisle, carefully checking our grocery list, flyer and coupons. My hubby was skeptical about the doubler coupons but I knew how they worked and if you used them correctly you get a good bargain.

First up Dole juices, regular price $3.49, sale price 2 for $5.00. After $1.00 manufacturer coupon and one doubler, we got two Dole juices for $3.00. We did this at every stop and weighed in the bigger bargains.

At check out ( we like to do self-check out) I monitored the screen to make sure that all the prices in the flyer were ringing up properly. Well the customer service rep made a lot of trips to our register because of discrepancies. It was almost closing time so they didn't seem to upset. After everything was done I was given a loyal customer 5% discount.

The grand total of savings was $63.00 including supermaket sales, coupons and doublers. Not bad for novices, I know there many who save so much more, but I was proud of our united effort to save. I really enjoyed doing this with my husband, I know that I may make things deeper than they are however, I wish we were united in all things like this....imagine how much we could accomplish.