Sticks and Stones...

Sticks and Stones will break your bones, but words will change a life!

A school assignment required a student to record a conversation or verbal reaction to various topics and situations. That conversation was then transcribed and analyzed. As a teacher discussed her motivation as a professional- certain words and ideas became evident through repetition and emphasis. Upon further examination - the subject's words revealed her mentality- which ultimately dictated the direction of her life.

The words we release begin as our framework of thinking. Our thinking guides our actions. Think of how a kind word from a stranger can surprise a smile out of you.
Think of how loving support from your best friend can clear away the sadness or uncertainty in your heart.
Think of how wonderful you feel when your significant other says they are proud of you.

If a stranger recorded my conversations all day long- what would they think of me? Would they analyze a positive thinker? Would they hear the words of a role model? Would they hear words of someone who builds others up in love?

Our words go beyond the skin and surface to the hearts and minds of others. Our words effect the lives of others. I want to speak love and grace upon others. I want to encourage them and identify victories and wonders.

I imagine that my words are a stone thrown into the water- once I release them- I cannot get them back. The stone's ripples penetrate outward from the intended point of impact and reach places and people in unexpected ways.

Speaking with love and thoughtfulness is a simple and powerful way to send joy and strength to those around us.

Here's to having some of that on our 'tape-recorders' this week. :)

Image: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/94/240808445_32148492a9.jpg

Adorable Niece and Nephews

This weekend was E's 4th birthday party at Soccer Zone... an indoor soccer facility with moonwalks too. The perfect place for little rug-rats to run a muck, kicking balls, jumping hurdles and bouncing their brains out in the moonwalks.

Here are some adorable moments from the weekend...

B (6) whizzes by me. She looks like a young lady already and really loves her girlfriend L.
"B, how are you today?!"
"Great! I have crazy hair!"
"Yes, I see, you have lots of grass in your hair..."
"I know! L put it in there! It's so crazy!"

E (4) opens his gift from Neil and I: a gun that shoots launches a glider plane.
"Wow! It's a GUN... But it's for KIDS!"

Later at B&A's house... we looked at their remodeling plans and talked basketball and babies (Baby #3 will join the crew in September).
Ax (2) wakes up from his nap, but where did he go? We find him in the guest room where he proceeds to climb up on the bed.
"Me jump!" Bounce Bounce from feet to bottom where he erupts into a fit of laughter...
"Monkey!" he exclaims! Laughing his head off.
His little brother, Ad, watched and grinned... I'm sure he will follow suit in no time. But, for now he is cuddly and adorable with a toothy grin from ear to ear.

Ask

I left church thinking about one word : ask.
There are many places in the Bible and circumstances in life that connect to that concept.
What do we ask of each other?
What do we ask of God?
What does God ask of us?

We ask for God's guidance and favor.
God asks us to trust Him and do what is asked of us.

Sometimes, God asks us to do things we do not understand, or to act in blind faith.
In these times, our emotions can rise up and create noise in our hearts and minds.
When I am able to clear out the noise, I can focus on my faith and finding the understanding of truly trusting God. This faithful trust is quite different that the comfy, everyday I say I'm faith-filled so I am kind of faith. That is the "review sheet faith." (The easy, worry-free faith.) I'm talking about the "testing day faith." (This is the... I don't know what's coming at me faith... The 'what if' faith).

I will not listen to the 'what if' noise. Look at my Father's track record... He has never failed me. In fact, my Father's will for me far surpasses anything I can imagine.
The sooner I get out of his way- the sooner He will bring glory to my day.

May my thoughts be faithful, pure and still.
May I see Your glory everywhere.
May I do with gladness what You ask of me.
May I bring You honor and shine bright with your joy.

Matt. 7:7-11
⁷ Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. ⁹ Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? ¹¹ If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Philly

My little boy cat brings me so much joy. We almost didn't get him! When I went to adopt a kitty from the Town Lake Shelter- I picked out his sister. Neil came along and saw Philly in the tiny kennel and said, "Wow! This is a good looking kitten!" That was how Phil made his way in to our hearts... his striking good looks.

Upon further internet research- we found his unique chirps and larger stature compared to his sister to indicate his breed- a mainecoon! These cats can grow for several years- sometimes to 20+ lbs! They are friendly, smart, social and his sister even fetches like a dog.

His little personality is so charming; I have been smitten with his since the day he arrived home. He is so cuddley, and never leaves my side when I am sick. He loves to invent games and attack technics. As I make my bed in the morning - Philly jumps onto the top of our headboard... waits for the duvets to move and then POUNCES! It is one of the only things that can crack my smile in the waking hour.

Here is at 6 mo. old. His adult coat is coming in - and he's found a new perch to note the backyard goings on. He perches in this comfy chair or on top of a cigar humidor... such a male- go figure!

Open Hands

Open hands cannot hold a tight grip
Open hands cannot move and manipulate
Open hands cannot block or strike

Open hands help with hope
Open hands embrace with faith
Open hands receive with love

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13

Fill Up Your Cup!

I woke up this morning with an empty cup.
So what do we do with an empty cup?
We filllllllllllllllllllllllll it up!

Today I realized that my priorities are out of order.
Preparing for upcoming events consumed all of my time and energy.
I allowed myself to work more than I was resting.
Deadlines dictated my days.
I put the 'to do lists' in front of healing my sick body, my relationships and everything else. Yesterday, I actually said to someone, "If I can just get to June, I will be able to rest then."
This will not do.

So today I claim an adjustment in my thinking and actions.
The Lord wants us to keep our priorities in order no matter what is on our plate.
I will fill up my cup with His truth and promises.
Even as I think this, His love and grace falls upon my restless heart.
I will embrace peace, love and grace instead of self-perceived chaos and stress.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30

Music to my soul...If you'd like to listen click here.

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus Words and Music by Helen H. Lemmel 1922   

O soul are you waery and troubled?
No light in the darkenss you see?
There's a light for a look at the Savior,
And a life more abundant and free.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

Image from: http://www.evadesigns.com/pics/sontu_tea_cup.jpg

The dumbest thing I've ever done...

If you know, or do not know - Neil and I are in a very BUSY season of life. Our current circumstances require a very tight time-line of tasks and deadlines to complete them. In other words, this is the busiest we have ever been... ever. I thought the holidays would take the cake... but they only set the tone for this Winter season!

I'm pleased to see myself rise to the occasion, and Neil- he has blown me away with his ability to balance his commute and schedule. Last night, (after work) I scraped, puttied, kiltzed and painted the shelves and cabinet in our guest bathroom. With my dad's help- I unloaded 30 bags of Happi-Grow mulch and supervised a truck dump 9 yards of crushed granite into my drive-way.

Since there was a hill of beans and a hill of bark in my driveway, Neil and I had to park differently... which leads me to the confession of the dumbest thing I have ever done...

This morning, on day 10 of my sub-par sickly fog, I hit Neil's car with my car. That's right. I damaged not one, but TWO of our vehicles... in 5 seconds flat.

"*(&^*&$%$&%$!!!"
"Neil?"
"What's up?"
"I hit your car with my car."
"Are you kidding?"
"Nope."
"What the *(&^*&$%&%#$&%?!"
"I know."
"Well, now we both drive hoopties. Love you, have a good day."
"Love you too. You too."

Let me put it this way... I didn't need to buy breakfast, since I was full from an early morning helping of humble pie and $#!% stew! ;)

As Forrest Gump would say:
"Life is like a box of chocolates... you never know what you're gonna get."

Invest in Your Team

Lou Holtz, the famous football coach said, "When I die, my accomplishments will eventually be forgotten. But what I've invested in my players will continue to live on."

What we invest in our loved ones helps shape who we are and who the next generations will become. Invest in those players on your "team," the ones who love you, affirm you, and stand by your side no matter what. The people with whom you have a heart connection, that hold your hand in the hardest times.

Sometimes life gets so busy that I become consumed with the tasks on my to do list. I fail to take enough time out to honor and invest in the important people in my life. With birthday season around the corner, today is a reminder to send love to others. The legacies we leave behind are being established with each passing year whether we realize it or not. When this legacy is intentional - we are looking for ways to give others the best of what we know and have.

Happy Anniversary to:
Barbara & Steve - 3/1

Happy Birthday to:
Sandra - 3/1
Pat - 3/1
Mike- 3/2
Steve - 3/8
Tom - 3/11
Marian - 3/13
Ezra - 3/13

Picture from: articles.mercola.com