what i am not saying

Past 1% change updates:

1. The Elliptical - we hit a snag. I was doing great. I was so impressed with my own resolve and gained endurance, and then Tuesday I made myself finish out the last 30 minutes even though I thought I might end up losing my right foot. My toes were numb and the soles of both my feet were burning. SO I worked out at home with corny workout videos just so I'd be doing something in order to give my feet a break and to figure out how to fix the problem. I am glad to report that I have missed the elliptical. I really have.

2. Gluten and sugar free for a week - I did quite well. However, I did not even try Easter Sunday. I had two homes in which I would be sharing a meal and I was not about to bring my own food or request a menu change so I ate some glutened dishes and I chose to have a small slice of chocolate cake. The rest of the week I did great, except for the 2 Ritz crackers I ate at BSF when I was taking care of the toddlers {I plumb forgot about my own challenge.} and the chocolate Easter candy I ate when I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't go to the elliptical {Try making sense out of that one. I know!} Other than that I rocked it and I impressed myself. So I am going to continue the challenge. {After I eat a cinnamon roll from Knaus Berry Farm. They are closing up shop until November people!}

Jessi over at Naptime Diaries has challenged her friends and readers with a new challenge this week in her 1% change campaign. She asked her readers these questions, "What is the thing you've struggled with that you've stopped talking to the Lord about? Maybe you don't talk to the Lord about anything, why not start? If we have a loving Father who wants His absolute best for us, why do we stop asking Him for help? Why do we stop telling Him what's on our hearts?" 


I let her know that this is my favorite challenge yet. These very things she brings up are so true for myself. I definitely keep things from Him. Not in the way of a child trying to cover up a mistake or a friend trying to keep a secret. I just don't think to go "there" in my prayers because it never really occurred to me that I needed to. And if it had occurred to me then the right words or approach seemed to be lost on me so I never put in much effort.


But when I think of these things that I am not talking to Him about. These things that I am not searching His heart on. I realize how deeply they affect me and how much they weigh me down and I am truly dumbfounded that I simply never put in much thought about it before Jessi posed the questions.  So I am really going to make an effort each day to start uncovering those places in my heart that I've kept hidden from Him for such a long time. I am really excited about this 1% change because in my experience with God, He is always so faithful to listen and tend to a sincere cry for being known, challenged, and changed.

  

night watch and a prayer request

A few weeks ago, I learned of a baby girl from Haiti, named Sonia, who lives in an orphanage and is in need of a life saving heart surgery. Friends of ours were asking us and others to pray for Sonia as they did what they could to see to it that she received the needed surgery. A group of doctors, along with a local hospital board, agreed to perform the surgery and provide Sonia's care free of charge! And so began the campaign to provide our friends with the things they would need to care for this sweet girl as she will stay with them in the months following her surgery. Sonia arrived Monday afternoon and was admitted to the hospital the very next day due to an unforeseen complication. She has an infection in her foot that must heal before they can give her the heart operation she came here for. She may need to be on IV antibiotics for weeks in order to heal the infection and that would hold up her heart surgery which she desperately needs. Please pray for her!

 As of now she is in a part of the hospital that does not have a one-to-one ratio of nurse to patient so our friends asked if I wouldn't mind staying the night last night to care for her through the night. I was happy to oblige. I'd get to actually hold and care for this baby girl I'd grown to love in my many prayers for her little life these last few weeks. She is precious! It was the first time I'd been on my own, alone, and responsible for caring for an infant since my high school babysitting days. Crazy, I know. I was apprehensive, but excited about it. I wanted to serve in this way and the hard-to-explain-it-but-nevertheless-true part of me that is sentimental about the hospital ever since my stay in 2004 was happy to be back in that environment chatting it up with the hospital staff.

The night was great. Yes, I lost sleep due to the whirring machines, the snoring father to the baby in the bed next to Sonia's, the TV he left on, the constant flow of nurses and assistants checking on her and taking her vitals, feeding her, and moving to a private room down the hall at 3am. But I got to watch her sleep and pray for her, read through the passages in my Bible that had meant so much to me when I was in the hospital, sing to her, rock her back to sleep, and take in for the first time James 1:27 in a very real way. It was a beautiful night. One I would be happy to do again if needed. It was the closest I've ever been to understanding on some tiny level what mother's mean when they wake to make sure the baby is still breathing and OK, just want to watch them sleep, and the joy felt at feeding a baby in the middle of the night while a pair of eyes look deep into yours with trust and affection. The first thing I said to Andrew when I got in the car this morning was, "I want a baby of my own, like tomorrow." :)

So if you read all of that, could you do me a favor and just pray for Sonia. Pray that this infection would heal quickly and that they would be able to give her the heart surgery she needs very soon. She's had so many pray for her and love her these last few weeks. Please join us! She is a very precious and blessed baby girl.

the main event

I still have Easter heavy on my heart. I thought the chance to blog about it had passed, but shouldn't we live Easter Sunday daily really? I am not talking about the Easter bunny here. I am talking about the real reason for the most important holiday in a Believer's year -- Christ died with my sin on His perfect shoulders and 3 days later rose from the grave and conquered sin and death forever. Now that is something to celebrate!

Do you ever feel like the holiday comes and goes without much thought even though it is the most significant? I think it's really easy to go to church and get caught up in the picnics, the egg hunts, the services, the activities, and never really take in the weight of what we are actually celebrating.

A man came from Heaven to earth to live, love, and die! He was seated on a Throne and He got up and walked away from it with the intention to usher me into that very same Throne room one day. He lived a lowly life. One that many would scoff at then and still do now. He was simple. He was not a man people would flock to for His charm and good looks, yet thousands would crowd cities and hillsides to spend hours and days basking in His Words and in His Presence. He came on a mission, to preach the Good News, to heal, and to set people free.

Free.

Yet many were out to kill Him from the moment they heard Him speak. People outraged at this Man who would heal and love on the Sabbath broke laws themselves to see to it that He die quickly. Law keepers and abiders chained by their own hatred and sin would break their own laws to see an innocent Man, who came to set them free, die a gruesome death.

All the while He quietly, calmly, gently drank from the cup that the Father gave Him. He stood silently before His accusers and took the insults of the mob. He was beaten, spat on, lashed, and humiliated without a complaint. Did He think of me when He thought He couldn't bear one more single blow? Was it my face and my heart that kept Him on the path leading to Calvary as He carried the very Cross on which He would die?

He endured more physical pain than I can imagine or will ever know. So that I wouldn't have to.

But what is worse, He endured a separation from the Father because the weight of all mankind's sins sat on His tender shoulders. The Father turned His face away from the Son He loved because He could not stand to look at Him any longer.

I did that. I do that. Everyday the Serpent brings me a shiny new apple and I bite into it.

But Jesus did that for me. He took my place so that I would never know a single moment in which the Father would refuse to look at me. And so now while I still have the juice from the apple dribbling down my chin, all I need do is come into the Presence of the Father and say "I repent" and He accepts me.

Jesus died on an ugly cross, he was laid in a dank, dark tomb, and 3 days later He came forth. He rose from the dead. He rose from the dead and He gave me life.

Life.

He came so that I might have life and have it abundantly. Not just life in the day to day, but life in the moment to moment. Joy in places that seem dark. Peace in places that seem turbulent. Grace in places that seem insurmountable. Love in the places that seem unlovely.

I love Him. I've never loved anyone more and I never will. He is good to me. And I can't wait for the day when I will tell Him to His face what Easter meant to me.

and so it begins

I was bummed that I wasn't able to post this yesterday, but better late than never. I am linking up with Ann Voskamp's blog today for Multitudes on Mondays {even though it's Tuesday}.  This past week I wrote down and kept track of the things I was thankful for each day. This is the beginning of the 1,000 and more.

1.-42.

good morning kisses

conversation as we get ready for church

spending time in worship with a great church community

watching my very favorite movie with Andy

a tidy house

having my family over for dessert and a movie

the facebook study group for 1,000 gifts

working out at a free gym

napping with Trinity curled in the crook of my arm

talking with Holly on the phone

grocery shopping with Andrew

Isaiah 59:21

Kellie and Jorge

writing a blog post and reflecting on friendship

Lucas passed hearing test

Isaiah 60 and Revelation 22

increasing time on elliptical

prayer time

line dancing class with Andrew, my MIL, and his grandpa

video for ch 1 of 1,000 gifts

interacting with ladies in facebook study group

being challenged spiritually by my BSF discussion group and lecture

lunch with Lisa

being asked to be a leader for something dear to my heart

dinner with Lizzy

hearing that my words encouraged dear friends

getting called in for subbing jobs

being married to a great guy

praying to the God who listens

my verse cards

The Word

Maundy Thursday service at Crossbridge

singing How Deep the Father's Love for Us

singing Jesus, What a Friend for Sinners

sitting with Maddy on the floor

Good Friday -- Jesus' sacrifice

sun beams and cool breezes

a good workout

a long awaited package on the doorstep

cooking a new meal

playing with Trinity

Reading at Barnes and Noble

It was good for me to go back through my week in this regard. It was a hard week, yet look how wonderful it really was!

homework

Last night Andrew and I went to Barnes and Noble and I did some gluten-free homework and Easter reading. That children's book, The First Easter, has gorgeous illustrations! I started reading The G Free Diet and I like it so far. Andrew found me the Gluten-free, Sugar-free Cooking book. When he took it off the shelf and handed it to me the heavens parted, beams of light streamed in, and the angels began singing. I thought I might be stuck eating brown rice and egg whites for breakfast for forever. {I know! Gross, right!?} So if you look really closely at what I have written down in the notebook you will see where my priorities lie...pancakes.

Andrew did this while we were there. Work! That he claims was "fun" to do and not really work. Oh my!

this one's gonna hurt

Jessi over at Naptime Diaries has suggested committing to a time sensitive challenge for the better to see how it makes us feel and how it improves our quality of life for this week's 1% change. So I have two huge changes that I am going to make...

I have fought with myself over the idea of going sugar free for forever. I am addicted to sugar. It has been proven to be more addictive than cocaine! Hence, the reason it has been a really hard decision to cut it out of my diet. But I think it's for the best and I have to go cold turkey. I am going to go refined sugar free for one week to see how I feel, but I'd like to make it much longer than that.

I am also going to go gluten free. I have had my suspicion regarding this one for awhile. I don't feel well most of the time and most meals and snacks consist of something with gluten in it, so I am going to just test this one out for one week also. I think I will need to do it longer in order to really see if that's what makes me feel less than awesome all the time.

I'd really like to make these changes for a longer period of time, but I am honestly afraid I will fail, so I am going to take it one week at a time! And allow me to give a disclaimer, refined sugar or no refined sugar I will have the occasional piece of dark chocolate. End. of. story.

My first 1% change is going well and I am still on the wagon. I went to the gym faithfully this week and even increased my time on the elliptical. Holla!

 

a cheerful heart

I went to BSF this morning and was delighted to spend time with my friend, Lisa. I learned today is her birthday so I had to come home and do a post for her! She is a real breath of fresh air! Our dads actually grew up together and used to race cars back in the day. So we spent some time playing together in our youth when our dads got together.

Then we ended up being in the same BSF group together! God is so kind to us. He knew I needed a friend like her. It has been such a joy to get reacquainted!

It is so fitting that today is Lisa's birthday after much of the content in our BSF lesson and lecture this week. We discussed the way that those who love the Lord and spend time abiding in His Word and in prayer seeking His heart reflect His peace, joy, humility, wisdom, etc. That is a description of Lisa. She has this way about her that you have no doubt she has been with the Lord and draws from Him for peace and wisdom. She has a cheerful heart that is good medicine for me on the days I need some encouragement. {Proverbs 17:22} She is shamelessly open about her faith, which can't be easy for her to do as she dons her pink hard hat in the construction world each day. I am really proud of her and inspired by her for her bold, yet gentle outspoken faith.

Lisa, I hope you have had a wonderful birthday! Love you!

{As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. -Proverbs 27:17}

"kindred spirits"

{I've dreamt of meeting her all my life. -Anne of Green Gables}

I have a dear, sweet friend who really is a kindred spirit. She and I met in the lobby of the old education building on UCF's campus. I was reading at one of the tables before class and noticed she was seated at the next table reading my favorite book. I waited for her to close the book and then I said, "I noticed you're reading Redeeming Love and that is my favorite book in the world and I just have this feeling we should be friends." We chatted it up for a little while and then discovered we would share a class that semester. We hit it off quite nicely and started talking and hanging out quite a bit. In no time at all, I knew that she and I would be friends forever.


She is just as lovely and beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. She is a naturally positive and joyful person and it comes from a deep faith in Christ. She prays often and it shows in her calm, peaceful approach to life. She is an incredible encourager and challenger in my walk of faith and I value her words more than she knows. 

We relate extremely well in our views on life, love, family, and faith. She is a fellow teacher and we could talk for hours about our passion for our calling and our students. That's why we get on so easily. We also really like to cut up, joke around, dance our fanny's off, and {window}shop til we drop.

{But I have a feeling we're going to get along really well. -Anne of Green Gables} 

 

The bottom picture above is Cynthia and I hanging out in the education lobby where we first met.

Another really fun tidbit about our friendship is that our Misters get along famously and if we were to live in the same city the four of us could hang out all the time and be really happy about it. I got to be there with her and for her when she fell in love with her husband and I will never forget the  first dates, listening to voice mails over and over from him, interpreting e-mails, and all of the giddy excitement that goes with falling in love. She and I both sang the same song at the other's wedding and I cherish the memories of both of our wedding days.

As of now we are a few states apart, but we talk about living in the same city one of these days. Whether that be when we are young and raising kids together or old and gray and rocking on the porch talking about the good ol' days, I'll take it and I'll never stop hoping and praying for it!

Happy Birthday, Cynthia! I love you, my friend and kindred spirit. May this day and this year be filled with blessing.

P.S. If you click on the picture collage it will open in a new window much bigger.

{True friends are always together in spirit. -Anne of Green Gables}

the beginning of a book study

I just started reading the book One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp with some friends and friends of friends through a facebook group/community. We just started yesterday and I am pumped about the study and the concept of the book. I am really looking forward to having dialogue with these ladies about the importance of thankfulness and how the regular practice of gratitude plays out in our every day lives. I think this is going to be powerful stuff and I can't wait to feel the impact. The author, Ann Voskamp, has an inspiring blog that I like to read. She has given us a great resource to use while we read the book and make gratitude more of a natural response than something we have to do after a birthday, shower, or Christmas when we sit down to write our thank-you cards. Go here and after you read her blog post you will see the link for the handy dandy printable.

I had trouble printing it. If you have trouble like I did try this:

Go to the File drop menu and click on Print Setup. Then choose landscape for the paper orientation.

Stay in Page Setup and select Paper quality. Click on the little box that says Borderless Printing. Then click okay and print and you should be good to go.

I've got a journal to write down the gifts that I am grateful for each day, but I thought this little booklet would be fun to have in my purse to jot down whatever comes to me wherever I'm at. Plus, it's so darn cute. And I don't mind transferring my gifts from the booklet to my journal. There certainly can't be any harm in a review!

I am joining Ann and many other bloggers in Multitudes on Mondays, in which we share the many blessings God has gifted us with throughout the week. I only have one day of this practice under my belt, but I just can't wait to get started; I am so excited about it! I don't know how I will normaly post this, but for today I will include what I recorded yesterday.

1.Good morning kisses
2. Conversation as we get ready for church
3. Spending time in worship with a great church community
4. Watching my very favorite movie with Andrew (he's so sweet to endure it)
5. A tidy house
6. The facebook study group for One Thousand Gifts
7. Having my family over for dessert and the latest Disney movie

 



she did what?

 

I do not possess one single athletic bone in my body and not once when I was growing up did I take part in any sporting event, whether it be a little league or P.E., with any kind of enthusiasm. I also have never been one to spend time in a gym. Just never have. However, now that I am getting older, my metabolism is slowing down, and I want to be a healthy mom who sets a good example for her kid's one day I have decided it is high time to get my butt in the gym.

Jessi over at Naptime Diaries has started this movement and I'd really like to get in on the action. It's called 1% change and the idea is to improve your life by taking one little step at a time. I like that. 

So this week my 1% change had to do with a huge fear. The gym. It scares me. I don't know what it is about that place, but I am so incredibly intimidated by it. I feel like the minute I walk in everyone in there is going to know that I'm a newbie and that if I were to get on the treadmill I could very well pass out from my lack of "being in shape" and all. 

So I didn't go near the treadmill. 

I got on the elliptical and I liked it. So my goal for the week was 3 trips to the gym to get on the elliptical for 45 minutes and I. Did. It!

I think this is a great idea/movement. Won't you join us in making a little 1% change to change your life for the better?

you're welcome

A few weeks ago I hosted my sister's bridal shower. I made these delicious chocolate covered peanut butter truffles and it would be rude of me not to share the recipe because they.were.incredible.

Here's what you'll need:

1 cup creamy peanut butter {I used Jif.}
1/4 cup butter
1 1/4 cups confectioners sugar
6 ounces semisweet chocolate {word to the wise -- get a whole lot more than that.}

Mix the peanut butter, butter, and powdered sugar well...it needs to be really creamy. Try not to make as much of a mess as my friend and I did when we made them; insert Ethel and Lucy moment here.





Line a baking pan with wax paper.

Do yourself a favor and get a melon scooper. It's perfect for portion size

 and it's makes the balling go a whole lot smoother and quicker.

We had to get a bit creative here because the baking pan wouldn't fit in my freezer. I ran to the garage to get some cardboard boxes and we cut them to fit the freezer shelves to give our wax paper support. The peanut butter balls need a good 30 minutes to freeze well. When it comes time to dip the peanut butter balls into the melted chocolate you are only going to want to take a few out of the freezer at a time because they get gooey fast. Once they are gooey there is no easy way of giving them a proper chocolate dipping.  

Once they have been dipped into melted chocolate place them back onto wax paper on a baking pan and place them in the fridge. These do not have to stay refrigerated, but they tasted better and lasted longer if they did.

I put the truffles in these cute little boxes that I found on clearance at Michael's, spruced them up with a bit of ribbon, and placed them in the entryway/exit for people to enjoy as a thank you gift for coming to the shower.  

Evidence as to why I received many a phone call after the shower to a.) find out if they were homemade and to b.) find out if I'd be willing to share the recipe.

FYI in order to fill all of those favor boxes I had to triple the recipe. And to be completely honest I have no idea how much chocolate we went through, but it was a lot more then what the recipe called for for sure.

These were so delicious! I am happy to do a taste test when you whip up your own batch.

pretty please

I got the Anthro catalogue today.

I only need these 4 items to help me kick off the summer.

And a winning lottery ticket.

1.Natalie One Piece

2. Heroine's Homecoming Top

3. Laguito Blouse

4. Walled City Blouse

any day...

that I get to talk to these two

 

and visit with these two

circa 2007, but it's my favorite

is a fantastic day!

my worth

This year I have been doing an in depth study of the book of Isaiah. It's been challenging! I have learned so much and there are weeks when I can hardly process all that's coming at me through God's Word because it's so deep and so rich.

Last week's lesson has just really stuck with me this week.

I grew up going to Sunday school. As a little girl I hung on every word the church ladies spoke on Jesus. I had a serious fascination with Him and I knew that He had done something huge to prove He loved me. I remember going up to the front of the church when I was 8 years old to declare my association with Him. I couldn't get there fast enough; I was so excited.

But with time came new priorities and a busy schedule. Despite His love for me, my love for Him dimmed and became less apparent. Less exciting. 

This week I can't stop thinking about and reading through Isaiah 52:13-53:12.

Jesus is Amazing.

At BSF, the lecturer put it this way..."He accomplished redemption and He is satisfied in His success. He is satisfied because we are justified before the Father. Jesus, satisfied Servant and exalted King, considered justifying sinners worth the suffering He endured on the cross."

The word "worth" has been emblazoned at the forefront of my thoughts all week. Worth.

The horrors He went through were worth it because it meant He could save me. He could keep me.

How often do I thank Him for enduring so much because He valued me more?

Try this out: Read Isaiah 53:4-6 and insert your name in the blanks like this...

Surely He took up Shannon's pain

and bore her suffering,

yet she considered Him punished by God,

stricken by Him, and afflicted.

 But He was pierced for Shannon's transgressions,

He was crushed for Shannon's iniquities;

the punishment that brought her peace was on Him,

and by His wounds Shannon is healed.

 Shannon, like a lamb, has gone astray,

she has turned to her own way;

and the LORD has laid on Him

the iniquity of Shannon.

This is an important passage. There is more in that paragraph than there is in any book on this green earth. And unpacking it, applying it, and appreciating it will take a lifetime. A lifetime well spent.

my two loves

Work took us to Orlando Friday, and our heartstrings took us to Tampa for the rest of the weekend. I love these two kids and I was SO happy to spend time with them.

We had SO much fun!

He is so sweet. I think this pic will always be one of my favorites.

I pray for the day when seeing them becomes more of a weekly occurrence!

under the big top

I love it when books have pages like these.

I just read the last words of Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen and I am ready to start in on the first few again. This is a story worth reading. It's the classic good versus evil with a little bit of whimsy, camaraderie, and romance throughout. I could not put it down!

I thought about reading it awhile back when I saw it on a friend's coffee table. The title and cover intrigued me, but my abhorrence for the circus deterred me from reading the book. Then the movie trailer came out and I was captivated by it once again and requested the story from the library.

The tale that Gruen weaves is nothing short of beautiful. Of course there is the love story, but it's the loyalty and love that a few of the characters have for their animal friends and the longing for good to overcome evil that had me reading long into the night. There are a few scenes that are gruesome and a few that are graphic, so those of you that are faint at heart or want to preserve some innocence may want to skip it.  

However, the real facts and history of the old time circus found within the pages are fascinating and have me planning a trip to the Sarasota Ringling Museum. The sweet rapport between a circus clown and his dog, 12 magnificent horses and their rider, and a young vet and his elephant is enough for this animal lover to call this book a favorite. Then add in some unlikely friendships and a damsel in distress and you've got a darn good story. 

You won't ever find me in line for a show when the circus rolls through town. I cannot condone a show that causes big cats and elephants to be enclosed in tight quarters for the sake of entertainment, and I think this book showcases my point. But I do so love this story and it endears me toward those who love these animals while out on the road.

Check out the movie trailer!

it's one of my favorite places

It's a quaint street with a lot of character and I adore it. Years ago I came here with my family while I was in college and made up my mind to find work in one of the boutiques along the street. The very next day I was hired and one could find me enjoying my lunches on a park bench just across the street from the shop I worked in shortly after that.

I come back here every chance I can get to do so. I love hanging out in the park, lingering in the rose garden, walking along the street, going into the shops, and eating at the restaurants. It's a place where I can go and instantly feel content and happy. I like that. 

There's a train station on the other side of the park and it stood directly in front of the shop across the avenue and the park. The trains that pass through are both freight and passenger trains. When I worked here there would be some slow days. I'd end up standing outside the doors of the shop and when I heard the train whistle blow I'd wait in anticipation of the thundering locomotive to round the bend and I'd begin counting cars. I counted 88 cars on a freight train one day. 88! But my favorite would be when the passenger trains came through and stopped at the station. You'd see families and friends saying goodbye or greeting one another and it always made me happy to see people embrace one another for both reasons.

This is a favorite breakfast spot for friends and I. It's become a tradition and now I cannot go to Orlando without stopping in! The Briarpatch is a must on Park Ave!

Yesterday I got to sit here while my Mister was in a meeting nearby. It was the perfect afternoon. Perfect.

 

And this little lady came over for a visit.

If you ever find yourself in Winter Park, a treausre of a suburb in Orlando, you really ought to take the time to enjoy Park Avenue. You'll thank me for it. I promise.