So I'm on a new journey to eat healthier and for my family to eat healthier as well. Along my journey I have run across a few blogs and websites that I am finding a ton of information on. Here are a couple. :)
<a href="http://wholefoodmommies.com/"><img src="http://www.wholefoodmommies.com/Content/Images/Ad_WFM.png"/></a>
http://myorganicglutenfreelife.blogspot.com/
I'm really looking forward to this journey I'm going on. So far it has been exciting and fun. Here is to many more years of exciting and fun. I'll periodically share about my journey and what new things I've found. :)
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Contentment and Joy
So this summer has been a whirl wind of change. We, only being in GA for 7 months, decided to buy a home and move yet again. This means: packing, packing and more packing to eventually unpack, unpack and more unpacking. Through all of this change we have seen many issues arise in our family.
These issues range from the small of too much stuff to the large of character issues. The two largest issues we have noticed is our lack of joy and lack of contentment. I say our because I noticed it in me first. We know this move was hard on everyone. Taking what was comfortable and easy to what is different and hard. From lots of friends and family to no friends or family. As an adult it is easy to see and say... "This is what God wants for us." But, we didn't even fathom the difficulty our children would have with the changes.
I still have no doubt in my mind that moving to GA and then moving to our new home were the best decisions and the ones God had in store for us. However, watching the pain, and heartache that my children are going through makes the sting all the more real. I myself am struggling day to day with the loss of close ties and to watch my children struggle with not seeing their friends and being lonely breaks my heart.
So we have tried to focus on finding joy and contentment in a world of chaos and sadness. Choosing joy vs depression, choosing contentment vs anger. These are hard things as an adult. Teaching them to a child is an uphill battle that I must conquer. We are studying Abraham, Joseph, Jonah and the many other people in history that either by choice or not left what was comfortable and familiar to follow God's will. Through that, seeing what blessing or lack of blessing they received, and we are finding that picking joy and contentment in the situation and following God's plan is always the best coarse of action in any circumstance.
These issues range from the small of too much stuff to the large of character issues. The two largest issues we have noticed is our lack of joy and lack of contentment. I say our because I noticed it in me first. We know this move was hard on everyone. Taking what was comfortable and easy to what is different and hard. From lots of friends and family to no friends or family. As an adult it is easy to see and say... "This is what God wants for us." But, we didn't even fathom the difficulty our children would have with the changes.
I still have no doubt in my mind that moving to GA and then moving to our new home were the best decisions and the ones God had in store for us. However, watching the pain, and heartache that my children are going through makes the sting all the more real. I myself am struggling day to day with the loss of close ties and to watch my children struggle with not seeing their friends and being lonely breaks my heart.
So we have tried to focus on finding joy and contentment in a world of chaos and sadness. Choosing joy vs depression, choosing contentment vs anger. These are hard things as an adult. Teaching them to a child is an uphill battle that I must conquer. We are studying Abraham, Joseph, Jonah and the many other people in history that either by choice or not left what was comfortable and familiar to follow God's will. Through that, seeing what blessing or lack of blessing they received, and we are finding that picking joy and contentment in the situation and following God's plan is always the best coarse of action in any circumstance.
Monday, June 27, 2011
No Change
I wish that since my last post things for me had changed. However, they haven't. I am still struggling with a depression I've never experienced. I feel like a failure in personal, spiritual and physical aspects of my being. I honestly feel like someone trapped in a bubble and I'm watching what is going on in my life screaming "Fix that stupid" and yet watching myself make the same mistakes over and over again. It is a horrible nightmare.
After a long chat with my husband today I believe that I have the accountability that I need through him now. We discussed my feelings, my actions and my doubts. He was truly an amazing man as he listened to all I had to say and with love he then gave me wisdom and encouragement. Both of which I needed desperately.
Since moving to Atlanta, I have watched myself slip into oblivion and thought I had no way out of the deep abyss I now find myself in. Knowing in my head that God will see me through and knowing in my head that there is light at the end of the tunnel but feeling in my heart heavy and trapped. What a frightful feeling. I know I am not out of the dark yet but I at least feel a hand holding mine in the dark. The Lord definitely sends us exactly what we need at the exact moment we need it.
After a long chat with my husband today I believe that I have the accountability that I need through him now. We discussed my feelings, my actions and my doubts. He was truly an amazing man as he listened to all I had to say and with love he then gave me wisdom and encouragement. Both of which I needed desperately.
Since moving to Atlanta, I have watched myself slip into oblivion and thought I had no way out of the deep abyss I now find myself in. Knowing in my head that God will see me through and knowing in my head that there is light at the end of the tunnel but feeling in my heart heavy and trapped. What a frightful feeling. I know I am not out of the dark yet but I at least feel a hand holding mine in the dark. The Lord definitely sends us exactly what we need at the exact moment we need it.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Struggling
The last few days for me have been an uphill battle. I have no idea why. I just know that every moment seems like a huge struggle. I don't want to get out of bed. I seem to only fight with my kids. I trudge through school. I procrastinate on dinner till I'm frustrated and just wanna scream.
I have found myself slipping into an oblivion and don't care that I am. Several verses keep popping into my head... "Look to the ant, you sluggard.", "Think on whatever is righteous, pure and true" and many others. I think my prayer to the Lord is all that is holding this shred of anything together. Somehow he is giving me the strength I have (ever so little it seems) to trudge through this dismal day.
My prayer is that each day I will hold on to a little more of His strength and a little less of the selfish me that has seemed to take over my whole being. I want to stand up tall and be a loving mom whom her kids will always be proud to say "That's my Mom". I want to be the wife that has the home ready for her husbands arrival. I want to be the teacher that makes learning fun. I am currently failing in all accounts but I know my Lord has better things for me, I just need to give up myself and see the wonderful life he has for me instead.
I have found myself slipping into an oblivion and don't care that I am. Several verses keep popping into my head... "Look to the ant, you sluggard.", "Think on whatever is righteous, pure and true" and many others. I think my prayer to the Lord is all that is holding this shred of anything together. Somehow he is giving me the strength I have (ever so little it seems) to trudge through this dismal day.
My prayer is that each day I will hold on to a little more of His strength and a little less of the selfish me that has seemed to take over my whole being. I want to stand up tall and be a loving mom whom her kids will always be proud to say "That's my Mom". I want to be the wife that has the home ready for her husbands arrival. I want to be the teacher that makes learning fun. I am currently failing in all accounts but I know my Lord has better things for me, I just need to give up myself and see the wonderful life he has for me instead.
Friday, May 6, 2011
5 mo and counting
This year has been a huge rollercoaster for my family. My husband was given a great opportunity with the company that the previous company so we made a drastic move to Atlanta, GA. A week after arriving my youngest turned one year old, and he started walking. We moved from a state that required no notice of homeschooling to a state that not only requires notice but also a monthly attendance record. We left behind our friends, our family and life as we know it.
Today, 5 months later we are looking to buy our first house here. We have joined a new church that is probably 50 times larger than the one we left behind. We are actively involved with AWANA, baseball, ballet and Playball. We have been more structured in our daily homeschool routine to fit the state requirements and we have also joined a homeschool group that does monthly field trips.
Life is chaotic and yet somehow perfect all at the same time.
We have found that our marriage is stronger, our family is tighter and our love for one another is fused. We have seen all of our weaknesses through this and have rejoiced in one another's strengths.
I would have to say that the one thing we are still missing in this picture are friends. We have met acquaintances but have not found those friends you can call on a whim and chat, or friends that you know you can count on in thick and thin. We have not found a person that just clicked.
We know God sent us here for a reason. We know and trust he has a plan for us. We are truly blessed by His Grace and overwhelmed by His Love. It is by His strength alone that we survived the first 5 months. :)
Today, 5 months later we are looking to buy our first house here. We have joined a new church that is probably 50 times larger than the one we left behind. We are actively involved with AWANA, baseball, ballet and Playball. We have been more structured in our daily homeschool routine to fit the state requirements and we have also joined a homeschool group that does monthly field trips.
Life is chaotic and yet somehow perfect all at the same time.
We have found that our marriage is stronger, our family is tighter and our love for one another is fused. We have seen all of our weaknesses through this and have rejoiced in one another's strengths.
I would have to say that the one thing we are still missing in this picture are friends. We have met acquaintances but have not found those friends you can call on a whim and chat, or friends that you know you can count on in thick and thin. We have not found a person that just clicked.
We know God sent us here for a reason. We know and trust he has a plan for us. We are truly blessed by His Grace and overwhelmed by His Love. It is by His strength alone that we survived the first 5 months. :)
Friday, April 22, 2011
Easter or Resurrection Day?
So the last few weeks everyone is gearing up for Easter or Resurrection Day. But what do you call it? I have been bombarded with emails, post cards, facebook posts and the like all of which giving their argument for one or the other. This makes me ponder if it really matter what I call it as I have four children that I am teaching daily the ways of the Lord. Am I doing them a dis-service by not labeling it correctly?
I have done the research and know where the origins of the "easter" celebration came from. I also know that the Christians used these pagan ritual days to mask their own church services so they could worship the Lord of Lords without persecution.
I see both sides of the coin and I see merit in both.
After discussing it with my husband we came to the conclusion that we are raising children to love the Lord our God with all their heart, soul and mind. We have seen fruit from our oldest two in their attempt to follow the Lord. We have also seen them face many persecutions from other children for making the right choice. As such we are going to focus on what Easter is all about for a Christian. We are not going to mince over words and rituals that would further the persecution. Thus setting them up to not be able to be the light to our neighborhood as they would be outcasts.
We do not believe in the Easter Bunny but we do hunt eggs and afterward we go through the Resurrection story finding the empty one last for the empty tomb. Our children will not feel they are missing "greener grasses" and long to not have that which they do not, we hope.
That being said, I pray that those who celebrate a traditional Easter or those who celebrate a Resurrection Day can see and appreciate one another. For as long as we are celebrating a Savior who died on the cross and rose again three days later we are celebrating the same thing. No matter how we choose to steep our traditions.
I have done the research and know where the origins of the "easter" celebration came from. I also know that the Christians used these pagan ritual days to mask their own church services so they could worship the Lord of Lords without persecution.
I see both sides of the coin and I see merit in both.
After discussing it with my husband we came to the conclusion that we are raising children to love the Lord our God with all their heart, soul and mind. We have seen fruit from our oldest two in their attempt to follow the Lord. We have also seen them face many persecutions from other children for making the right choice. As such we are going to focus on what Easter is all about for a Christian. We are not going to mince over words and rituals that would further the persecution. Thus setting them up to not be able to be the light to our neighborhood as they would be outcasts.
We do not believe in the Easter Bunny but we do hunt eggs and afterward we go through the Resurrection story finding the empty one last for the empty tomb. Our children will not feel they are missing "greener grasses" and long to not have that which they do not, we hope.
That being said, I pray that those who celebrate a traditional Easter or those who celebrate a Resurrection Day can see and appreciate one another. For as long as we are celebrating a Savior who died on the cross and rose again three days later we are celebrating the same thing. No matter how we choose to steep our traditions.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Ache
My heart is aching. I just read a discussion on facebook that a group of old friends were involved. I am shocked and amazed at how people who grew up being told the truth and profess it to be true can so vehemently oppose it now. I have been watching the last few months as a couple, man and wife, that I grew up with completely turn their backs on God and are now trying to bring others with them.
I have on the other hand watched as friends who were luke warm in their faith as teens flourish in their adulthood into servants of Christ. It is this that has brought these two worlds together and has made my heart ache today.
I saw a post by an old friend informing of a decision a well know cancer organization had made to support a well known abortion supporter I upon reading it was so proud of that friend for being bold enough to post it. Then I started reading the posts in reply to the original. Several of the comments were by people I did not know and therefore was just sad for a few and very impressed by others.
However, one post caught my eye. It was from the couple whom I have ached for the past month because I've seen that they have allowed their hurt by other "Christians" to turn them the opposite directions and they therefore label themselves "free thinkers". In his post he says that Christians are self righteous hypocrites because they choose to oppose abortion and yet not adopt the many children in foster care. Really, so my status as a Christian is based on whether I have the money to adopt children?!? not on whether I choose something because it is done in obedience to the Word of God.
I was saddened by the fact that his only defense to his anger toward this post was that he felt Christians had abandoned the defenseless fatherless child. Stating that we stereotyped this business by one persons (the ceo of the company) decision to support another company. However he stereotyped an entire group of people by the decisions of a few. Yes, I agree many Christians don't see the orphan as their responsibility. However to blame the whole for a few is the same thing he is arguing in the defense.
I have not yet figured out what or how or if I should to respond to him. It is the first time in a long time I have actually wanted to get into a debate. However, I don't yet feel I should. My prayer is now more fervent for my old friends and a new prayer for the wisdom and words to say at the appropriate time are added.
I have on the other hand watched as friends who were luke warm in their faith as teens flourish in their adulthood into servants of Christ. It is this that has brought these two worlds together and has made my heart ache today.
I saw a post by an old friend informing of a decision a well know cancer organization had made to support a well known abortion supporter I upon reading it was so proud of that friend for being bold enough to post it. Then I started reading the posts in reply to the original. Several of the comments were by people I did not know and therefore was just sad for a few and very impressed by others.
However, one post caught my eye. It was from the couple whom I have ached for the past month because I've seen that they have allowed their hurt by other "Christians" to turn them the opposite directions and they therefore label themselves "free thinkers". In his post he says that Christians are self righteous hypocrites because they choose to oppose abortion and yet not adopt the many children in foster care. Really, so my status as a Christian is based on whether I have the money to adopt children?!? not on whether I choose something because it is done in obedience to the Word of God.
I was saddened by the fact that his only defense to his anger toward this post was that he felt Christians had abandoned the defenseless fatherless child. Stating that we stereotyped this business by one persons (the ceo of the company) decision to support another company. However he stereotyped an entire group of people by the decisions of a few. Yes, I agree many Christians don't see the orphan as their responsibility. However to blame the whole for a few is the same thing he is arguing in the defense.
I have not yet figured out what or how or if I should to respond to him. It is the first time in a long time I have actually wanted to get into a debate. However, I don't yet feel I should. My prayer is now more fervent for my old friends and a new prayer for the wisdom and words to say at the appropriate time are added.
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