"Tis The Season

Today it is cold out. I am not a fan of the cold but so long as it doesn’t sleet or we don’t get a lot of ice, I can deal with it. It got me thinking about how we react to events and things in our life. Why is it when it is cold, we want it to be warm and when it is just a bit too warm, we want it to be cold? The weather should never interfere with how we react to life in general.

So this year I implore you to do something different to keep you from sinking into the “winter blues.” For instance, start a new tradition. Life is exciting and is meant to be enjoyed. Think of something unique to your family that can be a new tradition. There is no right or wrong answer. It is your family and your tradition; that is what memories are made of. This year we are incorporating a few more “holiday” movies into our mix. Funny after 40 some years of life, I never watched the Christmas Story until Kevin introduced me to it and he never heard of It’s a Wonderful Life. :) Now Scott wants to add his favorite holiday movie. :) We are also going to be hosting Christmas dinner at our house and decided to have "Wacky Sweater Christmas."

Another thing you could incorporate into your life is volunteering your time. There is no better time than the holiday season to get active and donate your time and energy to helping others. There are many organizations that need volunteers during the holiday season. You could go visit people in the hospital who are alone or go to the animal shelter and feed the animals. Tis the season for sharing. The shelters are always needing volunteers to help prepare and serve holiday meals. The possibilities are endless.

Happy Holidays

Heavenly Birth

Jonnae Taylor

Looking for an inspiring book to read. Check this book out. Denise Taylor (Jonnae's Mom) has blessed me with genuine deep heart and soul felt love and support. She is a blessing to everyone she comes into contact with. I think you will be blessed as well.

http://www.imprbooks.com/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=&idproduct=1455

A Simple Truth

I sit here today and am confident in who I am and what I believe. I believe in God and I trust Him with all my mind, heart and soul. When I talk to people, sometimes they tell me how hard it is to put their trust in God. Their life is in turmoil and they begin to wonder if there really is a God. They wonder is He REALLY listening? They want to believe in Him, but they find it hard to do.

I believe the more we trust in God, the more He will reward us and reveal Himself to us. But if we constantly doubt Him and question Him, we are stunting our spiritual growth. He wants us to have free will and believe in Him. However, He does not want to prove Himself or surprise us with a revelation to show us that we are wrong. He wants us to BELIEVE. It is my philosophy if you want to see God change your life, then you must first trust Him to move in your life. :) Pretty simple actually.

Many people gauge their faith by the prayers they say. Even when our prayers do not turn out like we planned, God still wants to see if we will trust Him. He is waiting for the right time to answer those prayers in attempt to help us grow in our faith.

God has His set of plans and we have ours and more than likely, they are very different. Just because God does not answer your prayers right away (or ever), does not mean He does not exist. It simply means He has a better plan and we must still believe and trust in His plan for our life.

Most of us like to control every situation but if we want God to have complete control over our life, we must let go and trust Him completely. When we truly trust the Lord with all our hearts, we finally give Him the consent and liberty to minister to us without us getting in His way.

God wants to give you a full and abundant life, but He only asks for you to believe in Him. God will then make you the person He wants you to be, a person of true faith and for me that is to be a Woman of Faith.

Be confident that He will make the right decisions for your life. :)

Coutu Residence

I can hardly believe it is has been over a month since I have blogged. Crazy. If you want to see our house, you can check it out on Bing.com. Here is the link. Keep in mind this view was taken about three years ago and the house was still under construction but the exterior was almost complete. Pretty cool website. You can click on the arrows and it will give you all angles of our house. Amazing.....

http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?encType=1&where1=8351+Primrose+Ln%2c+De+Soto%2c+KS+66018&FORM=MIRE

Letting Go

Some people drown their sorrows in alcohol and drugs when they encounter adversities in life. Some people chain-smoke to calm their nerves, while others, head straight to the pantry or refrigerator for comfort food.

Where do you go? Trust me, God has a better plan for you. Instead of drowning your sorrows, cast all your cares on Him.

My cousin sent me these cartoons today and I thought I would share them with you!

Such A Simple Chick :)

I am a simple chick at heart. Nothing fancy dancy, no high maintence for me baby! I definitely like the simple things in life and I proved it this past weekend at Costco. You know how it is if you frequent Costco, they will carry a certain item and then all of a sudden it is gone, it disappears and you hope that they bring it back. Well, this Saturday IT happened. As we were walking towards the produce area, there it was, in all its splendor, sitting there waiting for me to visit.

Celery my miracle food. :)

What was hilarious about this particular scene in the day and the life of Kevin and E was simultaneously, Kevin said “hey, there is your celery” while I shouted “Ceeeeeeeeeeeeleeeeeery.” I do believed I embarrassed my poor hubby!

What can I say. I like the simple things in life...even if it does make my hubby’s ears burn a little red at times. :)

In His Glory...We All Will Run A Little Faster :)

My Labor Day Weekend started with a bang and it was full of emotions. Something I never expected. For the first time in my life, I ran a 5K. I didn’t plan on it, I didn’t train for it, it just happened. On the way home one day after work, I noticed a banner that was displayed at the entrance of our subdivision for a 5K which would benefit the local Youth Ministries. I thought “I should run it, but I don’t have time.” And that is how the excuses started to flow, it is extremely EASY to make up excuses not to do something. Forgetting about it was much easier said than done.

I thought back to the beginning of the year when I said one of my goals this year was to, in fact, run in a 5K. Then I thought, well, I haven’t trained for one. Which was quickly followed up with that OTHER voice (you know the good one) in my head telling me I was in excellent shape to run it with no issues. So now what was my excuse? Well, I didn’t register in time! I finally told God if He wanted me to run in it, then to show me a sign. And that is precisely what He did, three of them in fact! :) I guess He knows how hard-headed I can be.

My first sign appeared at work when I received from our wellness coach a waist pack, which is designed for runners to use to place their keys, driver’s license, etc… in while they are out running. I thought the sign was a little weak so I said “not good enough, I need another sign.” Later that evening, I took Remy out for a walk and attached to our door was a flier with LATE registration forms for the 5K. I conceded and said “Okay, Lord if this is what you want me to do, then I will do it, BUT you are going to have to wake me up because I don’t plan on setting my alarm to go run a 5K at the crack of dawn.” Lo and behold, I woke up bright and early Saturday morning, jumped out of bed, got my running gear on, SURPRISED the heck out of Kevin, grabbed a protein bar and a bottle of water and a way I went. Headed for my first 5K EVER.

I never looked back from that point on. Game on… I always did love a challenge.

The course itself was pretty tough, a lot of hills and rough terrain. However, everytime I felt myself running low on energy, I looked up and reminded Him that He sent me out there and I immediately got another boost of energy. Was it easy? No, but I was beyond thrilled that I followed His command and ran it. The volunteers stationed throughout the course were amazing. Cheering me on when I needed it the most, especially the last grueling hill right before the finish line. That part of the race was my favorite. 100s of people lined up and cheering JUST for you! Aaah, the flood gates opened and I was full of emotion. I didn’t cry until I got home and hugged Kevin. Then the tears didn’t stop and you betcha I was planning my next run!

So as I plan my next race and the goals I want to accomplish in the future, I will evaluate my attitude, monitor my motivation, and follow the exhortation given by the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:31. "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

Mind, Body and Soul

What do you focus more on? Strengths or weaknesses? Do you feel more like Popeye or Olive Oyl? I'm just kidding. I am talking more about your inner gifts and talents, not the size of your muscles! :)

I try to focus on my strengths rather than my weaknesses. Easier said than done, eh? We need to be earnest in our judgment of our gifts and talents. In reality, we ought to know our strengths. We ought to know our weaknesses too, after all not a one of us are perfect, even if you think you are! ;) We should not think more highly of ourselves than we ought. We should not put ourselves down either.

Often we have a strange fascination with our weaknesses instead of seeing the good in ourselves. Perhaps we pay more attention to our weaknesses because we are insecure about them. Or maybe our weaknesses are always cropping up in life and it makes us feel like a failure (which by the way we are NOT). Sometimes we focus on our weaknesses by accepting opportunities for which we are not prepared, e.g., teaching others how to swim, when we are drowning ourselves. :(

No two of us are exactly alike. None of us has every gift and ability. Our responsibility is to exercise the gifts we have, not the ones we wish we had. We need to embrace who we are, not what we aren’t and never will be.

Each of us is unique and bring different gifts and combinations of personalities and strengths and weaknesses to the table. Be yourself, not who you think other want you to be or what you think you are supposed to be.

When it comes to making decisions about your life and the direction it should take, focus on your strengths, not on your weaknesses. Know yourself. Know what you do well, and embrace it. Don’t be fearful or anxious. Go with it and thrive.

Honor the person God made you to be and live as integrated, whole and honest as possible.

Powerful Experience

Remy

The love of a dog is a powerful experience. Last Saturday marked a year since Stoli passed away. Stoli taught us a million things about dogs and unconditional love. To this day, I still miss that amazing dog. He will forever live in our hearts.

Remy playing "volleyball' with Brittany

But with that said, I must say Stoli’s younger brother, Remy, is the cutest thing. I have never seen a dog who loves massages as much as Remy does. Remy greets us when we come home and he is beyond excited. I do believe this, my friends, is unconditional love at its finest. The companionship of a dog is amazing. They come to you in a giving manner and are content just to be with you in the same room. All Remy cares about is pleasing us and receiving love in return. He doesn’t care or notice if our socks match or our hair is a mess or what material things we own. He just wants affection and perhaps a treat or two! :)

Remy playing his favorite game of "tug" with Brittany

Remy has such a powerful personality, he absolutely adores people and loves all the attention he can possibly get. When anyone comes to visit, he greets them at the door by sitting on his bum and then raises his paw in the air. Such a gentleman! :) Remy is pretty sharp too! We actually have to spell out words because he knows exactly what we are saying.

Remy saying "what's up, Mommy?" :)

We feel as though he is our child and we are sometimes floored and amazed at his intelligence. Remy lets us know every day how grateful he is for his food, water, and new toys we buy for him. He never fails to thank us by giving us smooches.

Sometimes he gets into trouble when he wants to dig in places he shouldn't, like Stoli's Memorial Garden. Of course, that is a huge "No-No" but then he looks up at me with those beautiful eyes as to say "who me?" and I melt... but not before I see the dirt and grass in his mouth! Silly boy! :)

Remy is one heck of a great dog and one I would hate to ever lose, and in my opinion, has a heart of gold, loves his masters, is intelligent, easy to train, an excellent companion, and one who loves people.

As we said before, Remy has so many good qualities, we could not possibly tell you about all of them. We can tell you however, that we couldn’t have asked for a better companion and we are beyond thrilled that he came into our lives.