Life Lessons
Misty Leslie sent this to me last week and I just love it! It is so true~
Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer- Cleveland, OH
To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me.
It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we’d grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."- Romans 6:23
Lexisms
Walking to our car after bible school today.....Lexi: "Momma, I am dripping." Me, "What, baby?" Lexi: "I am so hot my skin is dripping!" Me, "Baby, that is sweating and this is Arkansas so get used to it!"
Just couldn't let that one pass by without adding it to my memory book!
And we are off....
Here is the email I sent out to the ones who let me know they were going to do the bible study with me....this is for anyone else who would like to do it! I will not post their responses :)
Hey girls!
It is 11:43 and I am just sitting down to get down to bible study business! I am SO excited to do Me, Myself, and Lies this summer. I think it will be awesome! There are some pretty yucky lies I fill my head with about myself and I need all the help I can get to get over myself!! I am praying head loads of blessings on us and can't wait to see and hear what God is doing in your life.
If you haven't been able to get a book yet I can mail you the homework for this week. I have made a couple of copies of it so just shoot me your address and it will be on its way. I hear the book has been backordered.
I am not sure how this will work so it will be just trial and error at first. I know you all don't know each other but we all love God and are here for Him. I know all of you so I think it is great! :)
First, I watched our facilitator's video...Mrs. Beth Moore. She had 3 things for us.....
1st, all of us should answer this question....What breed of dog do you most resemble? I thought in replying we could just hit reply all to "talk" to each other.
2nd, In the form of a text message answer this question...(160 characters or less) please pray for me.....
3rd, after reading the following passage Psalm 19 from the Message version: What does God say to you in this chapter about your life?
Psalm 19
A David Psalm
1-2 God's glory is on tour in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon.
Madame Day holds classes every morning,
Professor Night lectures each evening.
3-4 Their words aren't heard,
their voices aren't recorded,
But their silence fills the earth:
unspoken truth is spoken everywhere.
4-5 God makes a huge dome
for the sun—a superdome!
The morning sun's a new husband
leaping from his honeymoon bed,
The daybreaking sun an athlete
racing to the tape.
6 That's how God's Word vaults across the skies
from sunrise to sunset,
Melting ice, scorching deserts,
warming hearts to faith.
7-9 The revelation of God is whole
and pulls our lives together.
The signposts of God are clear
and point out the right road.
The life-maps of God are right,
showing the way to joy.
The directions of God are plain
and easy on the eyes.
God's reputation is twenty-four-carat gold,
with a lifetime guarantee.
The decisions of God are accurate
down to the nth degree.
10 God's Word is better than a diamond,
better than a diamond set between emeralds.
You'll like it better than strawberries in spring,
better than red, ripe strawberries.
11-14 There's more: God's Word warns us of danger
and directs us to hidden treasure.
Otherwise how will we find our way?
Or know when we play the fool?
Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh!
Keep me from stupid sins,
from thinking I can take over your work;
Then I can start this day sun-washed,
scrubbed clean of the grime of sin.
These are the words in my mouth;
these are what I chew on and pray.
Accept them when I place them
on the morning altar,
O God, my Altar-Rock,
God, Priest-of-My-Altar.
My responses:
1, Well, I am sorry to say I don't like dogs....I have been bit TOO many times in my life...twice in the last 5 years and I am pretty much scared to death of any and all dogs...even the "nice ones"
2, Please pray for me for patience and kindness with my kids and husband. For some crazy reason I can have it with everyone else in the world. I want it at HOME!
3, Thank you God for wiping my slate clean. Thank you for melting my icy heart and filling me up again. I was and still can wallow in a pit o' sin and please help me to get out and stay out of my pity party. I can't wait to see how you will reveal yourself to me in this study of your word. Thank you for my dear sweet friends and family (Tiffany, sister and Lindsey, cousin) who are doing this with me. May you RICHLY bless them and let them feel and see you at work in their lives. Give them the motivation and commitment they need to spend time in your word. I know it is hard....I mean come on guys...It is now 11:55 and I am just now doing this!! Why do I always put off everything that is the BEST for me????
Can't wait to hear from you guys! Love you~
Bible study starts tomorrow!
It's not too late to participate in the summer bible study Beth Moore is leading! It should be awesome! Here is the link to the post where she tells us all about how to participate! Tiff, Jamie, Lindsey, and anyone else who would like to do it lets get started! After I watch Beth's video tomorrow I will shoot out an email and get everyone in our "group" in on the 411...haha! Let me know if you would like to get in on the emails! :)
Here it is: just copy and paste the link
http://livingproofministries.blogspot.com/2009/06/siesta-summer-bible-study-sign-ups.html
Making his presence known
Well, life has certainly been eventful since Will made his big debut 3 months ago. At the end of May, he spike a high fever on a Saturday night. So high, they would not see us at the after hours clinic and sent us to the ER. We got the "full work up" including a catheter for some urine and a spinal tap. Poor baby. They got the admission all ready and the girl was working us up for a room and we talked them into letting us watch him from home since it appeared viral. They loaded us up on IV antibiotics to cover and secondary infection and let us go home and come in for antibiotics everyday. We got the results on the following Monday and the spinal tap showed he had viral meningitis. Whew....can we not just get a cold???? He probably got it from a mosquito they said. He recovered fully and nicely and we are trying to steer clear of anymore drama from him!! As you can see, he has been a bundle of pure joy anyway! The picture is at the ER and you can see his IV in his arm....
Grandma West's Iris
This past week I was reminded how sweet life is and how hard it is to loose someone you love dearly. This year iris from my Grandma West came up in our yard. My mom planted them for me awhile back. Even though we lost her to cancer 21 years ago on June 1st that does not lessen the impact she made on my life. I still have some "money plant" (not sure the real name) she grew that I have used in all the kids nursery as decoration. She loved me. Made us all feel like we were her favorite. Made the BEST toast and stewed potatoes I have ever eaten. Always took me swimming at the river. Picked up all the trash from her house to the river everyday to keep the roads looking nice. She let me take out all the canned goods out of her pantry to "play store" and did not complain. Slept on satin sheet that I loved. Told me stories every night before we went to sleep. Was able to grow any flower. She took a nap everyday after lunch. Rarely, if ever, told me no! :) Gave me a dollar everyday so I could go to Ernie's store and get either an ice cream sandwich or a push up pop....my girls love for both come from their momma!!
I was overwhelmed when Lauren arrived to see she has a cleft in her chin just like she had. I felt it was her kiss she gave to Lauren to let me know she loved me and was watching over us. Grandma, even though you are gone you are never forgotten.
Camping 2009
After we got home we raced to the lake to go camping! We spent the rest of the week there and had a great time...just a "few" happenings! Thursday we enjoyed skiing and tubing and Tori and Tyler got to come and go camping with us too! It was so fun! Friday, Kristen stopped by on her was back to Bentonville and it was great to catch up with her! We spent MANY nights on lake Greeson together!! Friday our boat broke down for the rest of the week....fuel pump went out ugh!! Mom and Dad brought their boat over so we got to continue the fun! Friday night Chris and Allison and the kiddos came over to spend the night. We grilled out and made smoars and played in the water. Saturday we played around and then....plastic starting flying everywhere going down the lake and lo and behold.....mom and dad's 1978 Glastron made it last lake run! It was SO sad!! We grew up in the boat, Scotty proposed to Tiffany in that boat, and have spent countless hours skiing behind it thank you dad! The motor literally broke in half! Oh well, life goes on....Tara came over and we swam and ate some more! Saturday night the monsoon of 2009 arrived at Greeson and made a wash of the rest of our trip....we packed it up and headed to Glenwood where we spent the remainder of our vacation! :)
A little get away
Russ and I snuck away for less than 48 hours to Bonita Springs, Florida. It was such a nice, relaxing time! Russ won the trip because he was nominated by his chairman for excellent leadership in his third year. We are so proud of him...especially me since I got to enjoy a free trip! :) haha! He went to classes all day but really enjoyed them....not surprising...and I layed by the pool one afternoon and got fried up good like a lobster! The next day I went to the outlet malls and shopped a little. We flew out that night. Thanks mom for keep all 3 kiddos!!
In my own skin
This may all sound so random and all over the place. If that bothers you, don't read it. I really enjoy putting my heart on paper sometimes to let it all hang out and see where it takes me....Lexi is really starting to notice things, character things. There have been certain character issues I have been dragging around like a noose on my neck that I wanted to get rid of before I "gave" them to Lexi, Lauren, or even Will. Nothing like having children that makes you want to mirror the one who made ya! This post is too long and wordy but the bottom line is...my self esteem stunk. Why, who knows? What I do know is that God is bigger than me and I needed to quit believing the lies I told myself....I can't wait for the bible study to start!! I was going to delete all I wrote below but decided to just leave it. No one but myself would even make it to the end of it anyway! :)...Huh Danielle! :)
Lately, in the fog of my mind, I have been seeing a few things a little clearer. First, I really like being thirty. I accomplished a lot in my 20's but struggled with so many aspects of myself and who I am and want to be that I am glad they are behind me. It was like I never took a breath until I accomplished every detail of what I set out to do. I was so afraid of failure or letting someone/something down. I am my own worst enemy at times. Second, I have learned the only person I answer to is God. I have always had the hardest time struggling with guilt. In an instant, I can be having a great day and a single sentance from someone would send me reeling in a pit of guilt. I don't know why I have been that way or what made me that way, but I have always struggled with it as long as I can remember. I am now done with that. I can sense when a conversation or a situation is headed that way now and have learned how to steer clear of those emotions or actually to let it go and realize the majority of the time it is not my fault. It is something the other person needs to deal with themselves and their own issue.
Along with the guilt came the people pleasing. At the expense of myself or sometimes even my family I would drop everything and do whatever someone else wanted me to do.I would try so hard to "make" someone like me. I have done crazy things in my past quests for "friendships." Really, it was stupid crazy....I also had the horrible habit of apologizing for things that are not even my fault! Even worse, apologizing for something I believe in if the person I'm with doesn't agree with me....I don't feel that way anymore. I do think though, that I am not the only one who ever felt this way or struggles with some of the same issues that I did. That is why I am even sharing all this junk about my heart. I want you to know it is okay. It is possible to get out of the miry pit and move on with your life. Let go and let God! Thank you Lord!
The first step in changing, I believe, is admitting it...which I have done. Just come face to face with who you really are....the good, bad, and really ugly. Now, I have even shared it with the whole world. My next step is going to be to do something about letting go of it Go ahead and get over yourself! It really isn't all about me. Get over myself! It really is so liberating. There is such a peace now in my life in the area of friendships, who I choose to be friends with, and even with family. Yes, I have made mistakes, big ones, but God has forgiven me and now so have I forgiven myself. There is nothing to prove and no one to prove it to anymore.
I am comfortable in my own skin. I know who I am. I know that I love God, my husband, my kids, my family and friends, and that I genuinely like to help others. The is no one I want to impress and if it takes that for there to be a relationship I am not participating. I am by no means perfect and don't want to be. There will always be people that don't like me, agree with me, and are just plain mean. That is ok...it is not my job to fix it or them. I LIKE to work, run and work out, do a bible study with homework, stay up late, stretch myself too thin, use text messaging to communicate, turn my phone off sometimes, be challenged in life and in my thoughts, drink diet coke, wear high heels when I get "fixed up", wear my work out clothes everyday, all day with a hat and not wear make up, make a to do list and finish it everyday (or not), get a bargain or sometimes splurge, cook, have a clean house (notice I did not say for me to clean), and be by myself for a little while each day. All those things are part of who I am and they are all ok. I am at peace with God and don't feel the need to apologize anymore for any of it. Am I vain? More than likely....but also, I like to feel good about myself and I have a certain expectation that I strive to reach. Yes, I fit into my pre-pregnacy jeans. It was never an option for me in my mind not to get back. Willpower and discipline have always come very easy for me....that area is just not something I have any struggles with! :) I have worked very hard to do it and there are bumps and marks underneath those jeans that show I carried all three of those kiddos. They now make me proud. I earned them. I gave blood, sweat, tears, and a lot of me to get them here and those words aren't just for the dramatic affect. I gave it and those babies are worth everybit of it and more.
I love them like no other. I am their mommy, their safe spot, and someone who will protect them and love them unconditionally. I may not mother the way you would but that's ok too. I am soft, hard, firm, easy, consistent, slack, and everything in-between. I fail, I do some things great. I learn something new everyday.
God just wants me to be real, with myself and others. The other day I heard something that stuck with me. She was talking about a personality characteristic. She said something like...I don't apologize anymore for ---- I own it. It is who I am....That is true. We aren't cookie cutter people, thank goodness! How boring life would be~ He doesn't ask me to be perfect..He asks me to seek His face and follow Him.
That is exactly what I am trying to do......
I hope my words and thoughts please you. Lord, you are my Rock, the one who saves me.” Psalm 19:14
But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life.” Psalm 42:8
Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.” - Romans 12:3b
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.” - Philippians 2:3
Learning from my babies
You have Taught Me
By Anne Maclellan March 1998
You have Taught Me
You have taught me patienceto rejoice in small gains which others take for granted.
You have taught me tolerance to accept that your perspective is different and deserves respect.
You have taught me courage to fight for you when no one else will.
You have taught me endurance to go on when I feel I can't any more.
You have taught me humility to accept when I can't make
things better but can only be here for you.
You have taught me to love at a deeper level than I ever thought possible
Open Invitation
Hello ladies~
I wanted to invite anyone who reads my blog to join me in a bible study this summer. It is called "Me, Myself, and Lies" and I am participating in it with Beth Moore...You can read more about it here: http://livingproofministries.blogspot.com/
I thought I would get together my own small group via internet! Email me or leave a comment if you are interested. You can order a book on line at lifeway or at most Christian bookstores. It looks like it will be great! Beth is starting it June 23rd so that is when I will too...Looking forward to a great summer in the Word.