Learning

So....I am trying to learn new things...You hear all the time, celebrity women talking about how things changed when they turned 40...how 40 is the new 30- or something like that..yeah, yeah, yeah....blah, blah, blah....oh, but wait a minute....is there some truth to that?? For me, YES....well, I *actually turned 40 3 years ago (hehe ;P) I am learning daily...something new about myself....or maybe it is just that I spent too much time in my younger days trying to be everything that everyone *wanted me to be....finally, I had enough and said, "enough" "I am not gonna do it anymore!"...
My sweet husband and I watched that movie, "Fireproof", Valentine's night...it was a very good movie...made me want to take a step up in my marriage...not that we are doing anything wrong...my beloved and I have always been considerate of the other, always shown and told each other love...but made me really want my beloved to know that my love for him is real and he IS my knight in shining armor. God is working in us, as a couple...in us, as parents...in us, as a family....in me, as a christian....I *want people to see that Christ lives in me....I *want to be that Proverbs 31 woman!
Slowly, but surely, I am making changes within my home and within myself...in my home I have decided to go all green with my cleaning products....my family deserves it. I am working to make our home a haven for my husband and children....you know, that safe, enjoyable, comfortable place to come to....
In our finances, I am working on remembering this saying- "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are" (Franklin Roosevelt). Doesn't that just speak to you?? It did me...with the economy being the way it is, I have found that I have made dumb choices in my spending and I really need to THINK before I buy!! This one will take some work!
Within myself...I finally made the decision to go back to Weight watchers....yuck...I didn't want to....fought it hard...but the reality is: I needed the help and the accountability...so, here I am....
I have a friend on Facebook who is amazing...she is 53 and runs marathons...not small ones either....I was talking to her and asking about her workouts....(she looks so good) she explained that you can't just go on a diet...for us, as women, we have so many roles within our homes...and we really should put forth more of an effort to take care of ourselves....and so many of us don't. If you stop to think about it...in our homes we are needed! If "Mama" goes overboard, the whole ship goes down! So, she encouraged me to make 'life style' changes....make sure that I exercise (even if only spurts at a time)...this will help with that pesky perimenopause! Eat right....sometimes that is the toughest for busy moms...with my Weight watcher program...it FORCES me to actually think about the meals I am going to eat and also the meals I am going to feed my family.
So...I guess we are in what you call a 'learning process' here....and it is O.K.

I found this in my "Blissfully Domestic" email today....it really made me think. I feel that it is very good advice....something to think on....so I wanted to share:


There are 4 things that can never be recovered:
1. The stone…….after the throw.
2. The word……..after it's said.
3. The occasion……..after it's missed.
4. The time………after it's gone.
Today, right now, take a moment to say I love you and I appreciate you to the people who've made a difference in your life. You never know when you'll have the opportunity to do it again.

With GREAT sadness

I lost a friend today...actually, I never met her in real life, but she was a real friend none-the-less. We became friends on a message board that I belong to. Through a series of events, we found out that we lived within 2 miles of each other! Now that she is gone, I am beating myself up for not going over and meeting her face to face. I think part of me wanted to respect her space...she was very sick. Then, there is the part of me that thinks, maybe there was something that I could have done or said....probably not.... She was a great lady. She gave hope and inspiration to those around her....always willing to lift up prayers for others...a great encourager. She did message me several times with tickets to the Shriner's circus that her family couldn't use, and a coupon for a free picture that her family couldn't use. Both times our family had other things going on and unfortunately, we couldn't use them either. ~but that showed her generosity...to share with others. Her faith was apparent to anyone who ever read one of her messages...so, when I opened the paper today and saw her obituary...I was shocked, saddened, heartbroken. Probably more for myself- my own selfishness....because this meant no more encouragement from her! At the same time, it meant she was with Jesus and had no pain anymore...which made me extremely happy. I am sad for her family...I am sure she will be missed greatly. Especially by me. So....Pam...even though I have no idea what your face looks like in real life, I am proud to say that I did know you. Thank you for your kindness, your generosity, and encouragement...you'll never know what your friendship has meant to me. Knowing you, Pam, has made me a better person. Rest in Peace dear Pam.

3 point prayer

If you read my earlier post, then you will understand what I am talking about here...Yesterday in the midst of asking friends in real life and friends on line to keep my husband and this business venture in their prayers...I check my email. I have an email from James Dobson...random I am sure...none-the-less...it spoke so loud to me! It was the 3 points of prayers for families....it went something like this:

1) Pray boldly- God wants us to approach him with confidence. "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need" Hebrews 4:16

2) Pray often- God desires a relationship with us. "Pray continually" 1 Thessalonians 5:17

3) Pray in faith- He is able and willing. "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins" Mark 11:24-26


Wow...isn't that powerful!?

Jobs, Money, Stress....

My husband recently found out about a cracker/cookie distributorship route that has come available for sale. We have had many conversations about this. Today, he went for his interview...we found out that there are 4 guys in the running for this route. The process to see which guy is actually allowed to buy the business is not known to us.
My husband is such a good guy, the kind of guy that would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it...and probably would if you just wanted it. He is always available to lend a hand to whoever needs help. He never complains, is a great husband, fabulous father, wonderful son. He has never said that he wants anything...but this distributorship he has stated that he wants. I want it for him if he wants it. So bad so, that my heart hurts for him. Today, he finally told me that he was a little stressed by all of this (only because I asked him point blank)...I am praying, asked my friends to pray, asked my face book friends to pray, asked my friends on 2 different message boards that I go on to pray....I figure the more praying-the better!
The initial cost of this business is quite steep...but we have learned that once a person buys one, they usually don't let go of it...some even hand it down to family members...that is saying alot.
This could be an answer to some financial prayers of mine. Things are quite tight right now. What is hard for me...is to 'let go and let God'...I keep telling God that my husband really wants this and if it is God's will, then He will provide....oh, but it is hard....right now, I guess we are just in a waiting hold.....since the interview is over....we'll see what is next. So...I guess I will continue to trust and hope that it works out the way I have envisioned in my head...that is, *if it is God's will.