Well. I've finally succumbed to the peer pressure and showed some stuff I bought on line. You know I love a good fleamarket/thrift store crawl.
In this video I've shared the stuff I've acquired over the past few months. Some of it is furniture.
And long,
At least I can't.
I know!
I've neglected my little blog terribly.
Stuff. That's all I can say about it all.
I've had stuff.
AND I continue to have stuff. Some of the same stuff and some new stuff.
AND I know you clicked here because you are curious about the title of this post. AND it's all true.
I am going back to school. Long story short. At least, I will attempt to keep this long story short. Those who have followed me a while know that I can be a bit wordy (just a bit).
WAAAY back in 1996, I went back to school. For the first time. Actually, I went to Beauty School directly out of High School. So I don't know if I need to count Beauty School as the first time....?
But...you know what I mean. One month into my first semester in college I had a MASSIVE car wreck. Which I emphasize the life-changing event by using ALL CAPS. It was that major. I continued classes at home when I was sent home from the hospital. I was taking 9 credit hours and my college agreed to let me continue them correspondence over the next semester. Keep in mind that online classes just weren't a thing back in 1996.
I went back the next Fall Semester with 9 hours under my belt, in addition to a handy-dandy cane and major PTSD. I basically went to college for the next 4 years. In that time, I went into Heart Failure, was diagnosed with diabetes and cardiomyopathy, graduated with an Associates Degree, went on to teacher's college, taught in a Christian private school 40 hours a week, had a miscarriage and adopted a baby boy.
I ended 2001 with a new baby and just a few credits away from my Bachelor's Degree.
Can I tell you I was tired? 2001 was a rough year for so many reasons. I had a miscarriage in August. Exactly a month later 9/11 happened. We adopted Josiah in November. I decided to stay home with my baby boy and take a little time off.
That time off turned into nearly 20 years.
I don't regret staying home with that brown-eyed baby boy. However, I have always dreamed about going back and finishing my degree. I knew I couldn't teach again. At least, I couldn't teach little kids. Which is tough when your degree field is in Early Childhood Education.
I've looked into going back before. Sometime when Josiah was 10-11, I thought I would check it out. But frankly, our little family was too stretched in other ways. We needed me to be at home and we needed me to be healthy.
This year, however, this blessed year with all of its stresses and anxieties gave me permission to be just a tad bit selfish.
I contacted our local state university and sent them my transcripts. I had more than enough credits to fit nicely into one of their programs. I got the money I needed. And yesterday morning, I purchased my books.
I have about a year until I graduate.
What's my degree in?
I really couldn't tell you.
It has Career Education in the title and my minor is in Education.
Do I think that you need a college degree to be successful and happy in life? Absolutely not.
But do I believe in going after a goal and finishing the course? Absolutely.
I am 49 years old. Many of those other dreams and goals won't be fulfilled in my life and I've had to come to terms with that. But, wow! It does feel good to have one more thing checked off that list.
And really. I'm a nerd. I loved college. All the 4200 years I went. Though this time it will be online. Do I even know how to do that?
I'm 49. I'll figure it out.
Good morning, friends.
I truly intended on posting a link to a Bible Ladies Brunch Video this morning. I do have one that already went up last week that I didn't link to on the blog. AND I have my Mother's Day message that I planned on sharing this week. BUT...the interwebs.
I got up this morning and the video had only uploaded to 47% because my computer restarted overnight.
I think you will enjoy the message. At least, I hope you do. I promise to share as soon as the dastardly interwebs cooperates.
For now...shew! I have not posted a blip on the blog in quite some time. I went to see my parents for 3 weeks in April. The boy is still out there helping his Papa with spring chores. I have been quite neglectful in life updates and words of wisdom as of late.
Do you ever just have those seasons of life where you just need a minute to collect your thoughts? And by minute, I mean an extended period of time. I have so many things I need to take control of AND plan for.
For one, I am probably going to go back to school. I have a few goals and dreams that I need to take charge of. I am still in the preparation stages. I still need to locate all my transcripts and find ways to finance all those hopes and dreams.
I have a few other things in the works. You will hear more about them. SOON.
Have a beautiful day!
Hey friends.
This week has been particularly a rough one. I won't go into all the details. But let's just say I've needed all the advice I give in this video.
I was talking to my mom on the phone earlier. She reminded me how life does us. We think we have things figured out and then WHAM! We are reminded that we know nothing at all and the best course of action would be to crawl back into bed and start over. That last bit was my contribution to the conversation.
In any event, I hope this conversation we have challenges something inside of all of us and we are reminded that we need to trust God with the details and give Him our doubts.
You might notice I am wearing the same outfit as last week. I did film them a few days apart. I just was feeling the cream and roses. You will be comforted to know that I might have looked put together on top, but underneath I had on the stretchiest of stretchy pants and my rattiest house slippers.
We do what we can.
Be blessed and encouraged this week.
Good morning!
You might have noticed I didn't post a Bible Ladies Brunch Bunch video last week. Then again, it probably didn't even cross your mind.
The truth is that I did create a video for last week. I just didn't post it. I really wasn't that happy with it.
Not that this week's video is stellar in any way. It just is something that I probably needed to post last week.
Today we are talking about "ugly."
Ugly words.
And I am sure you all have noticed a plethora of ugly lately. Folks just can't seem to keep it in...whether we all need to hear it or not.
I have certainly been guilty of spewing a bit of ugly myself.
I usually have a rough outline when I record these videos. Because me ranting aimlessly for 30 minutes is a complete waste of time.
In this video, however, I ran a little fast and loose. You will probably be able to tell. l repeated myself fairly often. In my defense, I was interrupted more than a few times. I just cut out those conversations I had with my family.
Nobody wouldn't have been interested in where I keep my Miracle Whip or why The Muffin's prescriptions weren't ready at The Walmarts. But if I do seem distracted you will understand why.
I have also noticed I tend to lean towards the video camera an awful lot. I think it's because I can't see and for some reason that will help you see me better. Unfortunately, the closer I get to the camera the clearer you can see the "bat in my cave." I have one of those noses. You could probably see up clear to my brain under perfect circumstances.
But enough about my nose buggers and squinty eyes. I do hope I am able to encourage all of us to use our words with care.
Hope you enjoy. Below the video are Scriptures that pertain to our subject today. Don't be ugly!
As promised, here are some Scriptures that talk about using our words.
1. Proverbs 11:9 “Evil words destroy one’s friends; wise
discernment rescues the godly.
2. Proverbs 15:4 “Gentle words bring life and health; a
deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.”
3. Proverbs 16:24 “Kind words are like honey – sweet to the
soul and healthy for the body.”
4. Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the
tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
5. Proverbs 18:4 “A person’s words can be life-giving water;
words of true wisdom are as refreshing as a bubbling brook.”
6. Proverbs 12:18 “There is one who speaks rashly like he
thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
7. Proverbs 25:18 “Telling lies about others is as harmful
as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a
sharp arrow.”
8. Luke 6:43-45 “For there is no good tree which produces
bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit. For
each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns,
nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush. The good man out of the good
treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the
evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which
fills his heart.”
9. Proverbs 21:23 “Whosoever keeps his mouth and his tongue
keeps himself out of trouble.”
10. James 3:5 “In the same way, the tongue is a small thing
that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire.”
11. James 1:26 “If you claim to be religious but don’t
control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.”
12. Proverbs 17:18 “Even a fool who keeps silent is
considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.”
13. Titus 3:2 “To speak evil
of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect
courtesy to all people.”
14. Psalm 34:13 “Keep your tongue from evil and your lips
from speaking deceit.”
15. Ephesians 4:19 “Let no corrupting talk come out of your
mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it
may give grace to those who hear.”
I'm starting a new weight loss journey.
Actually, scratch that. I've been on a weight loss "journey" for years. What I am starting is going to be more of a public sharing of the ups and downs of my experiences.
My "journey" has had its good days and bad days. I've had more bad that good. I have all kinds of excuses.
My hormones.
My non-existent metabolism.
White Castle.
Quarantine.
The truth is that our troubles and challenges are far more nuanced and complicated than we understand.
I've been fairly transparent about a few things in my life. Infertility. Chronic Illness. My fondness for murder mysteries and dislike of potty talk.
I am not quite as chatty about my weight struggles. Mostly because I am so disappointed in myself. And I certainly don't feel good in my current body.
I've been down this road before. I have been successful at weight loss. I have also been successful at losing and gaining the same 10 pounds a thousand times in my adult years.
My mom encouraged me to talk more about what I know. What I don't know. How I'm doing. What I'm not doing. About weight loss, at least. She thought my own experiences would be encouraging for someone else. She also gave me the idea of what to call this particular series.
"Confessions of a 10 pound Loser"
My mom is kind of awesome at jingles and catchy titles.
My idea would have been more like "My Struggles with Losing Weight While Telling You All The Things You Wish You Never Asked."
Kind of hard to make a interesting graphic with that one.
So. Here I go. We'll talk more later.
Good morning!
I have a special video for you today.
Sometimes love hurts.
I think that's a song from somewhere.
Sometimes love requires us to move beyond our own comforts and desires. It requires us to give up precious time, possessions, wants...etc. It requires us to sacrifice.
We as Christians understand that because God sent His son as a sacrifice we now have freedom, peace, joy, and everlasting life.
The dictionary describes sacrifice as "destruction or surrender of something for the sake of something else."
Destruction sounds kind of ominous...so we will go with surrender. What have we surrendered for the sake of someone else?
What have we sacrificed for the sake of another?
To live a beautiful life requires us to think beyond ourselves. Even when it comes at a cost.
Today I am talking with Joann. I think you will find her story touching. Especially, for those who are dealing with similar challenges in your own life.
Sacrifice will probably hurt...but it can still be a beautiful thing.
You can print off the scripture Joann talked about in the video by clicking this link or the picture below.
I understand.
I'm not really good at taking care of myself. For one, I feel guilty. Should I take precious time for myself when I need to be devoting it to something "far more important?"
The result of that mindset can be damaging. Not only to me, but to those around me.
That is why today we are talking about "Soul Care" in The Bible Ladies Brunch Bunch. We are currently going through a series "Learning to Live a Beautiful Life."
Soul Care needs to be a part of our plan.
In this video, I not only talk about planning for daily prayer and devotion, but I also talking about other nourishing habits that keep us active and able to do what God has called us to do.
I hope you enjoy the video. What are something of the things you do on a daily basis to care for yourself and your soul?
By the way, I mentioned in the video that I would share my current "chair exercise" routine video. It's under 10 minutes. WE can do this!
Welcome to another Bible Ladies Brunch Bunch post.
Today we are going to talk about Identity.
I haven't always been so immune to "unconstructive" criticism. And, trust me, I've had plenty of people feel like they could speak vileness into my life.
Those people were undoubtedly hurting and confused about their own identities. We can't love others if we don't love ourselves first.
The Identity we are speaking about today must not be confused with the humanistic notion of self-esteem. It cannot be tied up in exterior or physical characteristics. It can't be something I muster up every morning because I tell myself that I'm superwoman and capable of anything I put my mind to. It can't be wound up in another's opinion of my appearance, social graces, intelligence, general personality or tacky statement earrings.
My (and our) Identity must come from Someone eternal. Someone who is never-changing. Someone who cannot lie. Someone whose own prejudices and failings won't cloud His picture of me.
I hope I conveyed these thoughts in the video below. I hope that you take this video to heart. As a society, we MUST not be a part of small-humanistic thinking.
God says I am LOVED.
God says that I am CHOSEN. That I am ACCEPTED. That I am VALUABLE.
I am made in HIS image.
And so are you.
If you haven't already take some time and watch the other videos in our "Learning to Live a Beautiful Life" series.
I hope you are blessed today.
I know!
Two posts in a row. There must be some sort of extra juju in my morning coffee.
Actually, the electrician is here again today and I need to appear busy. I don't want to for him to think I sit around all day long reading murder mysteries and binge watch Grey's Anatomy.
Say what?
The work crew from the energy company is still here. Yesterday, they secured the gigantic pole they installed next to the Parsonage with a couple of bungie chords and a few enormous French knots (poorly done French knots). It looked frightening. This morning they gathered around looking up at it like it had just appeared overnight. One guy even left the doors on his truck open like he was prepared for a quick getaway.
Princess and I were concerned.
I shared this picture on my FB page.
Her favorite napping place is now my chest.
It's a good thing I love her.
Today the Parsonage is getting plugged in. At least, MORE plugged in.
An electrician is here installing and repairing electrical outlets. The Parsonage is old. I'm not sure how old, but let's just say that the master bedroom has ONE electrical outlet.
ONE.
We have cords running everywhere. Which, of course, is not safe.
I'm perched here on the couch trying to look purposeful and occupied. I even heated up some leftover stir fry for breakfast so I wouldn't dirty up my very clean kitchen.
What's more is that the power company has loads of worker bees in the church parking lot. They have been installing power poles all over town and have basically used the parking lot as home base. Our front window has provided quite the view.
Princess the Cat is beside herself today. All the activity has put her on high alert. She keeps looking at me as though I am supposed to keep all of this chaos in line. She is a Siamese. They have high expectations.
Speaking of expectations. I think sometimes we set ours too high. We have an idea in our mind about how things should work.
People need to act a certain way.
A circumstance should happen this way.
Life just plain needs to look a certain way.
I am not for a minute about to suggest you shouldn't hold the people in your life to some sort of standard. Abuse is never okay. And plain courtesy and consideration is necessary for healthy relationships.
It's just that sometimes life drops little "surprises" on us. Or we have unrealistic views of what should be.
I would say that marriage is probably the hardest on our expectations. We expect the fairy tale. The magic. Life is not so magical when the bills aren't paid, a spouse is sick, and the looks of love become more looks of exasperation.
My husband never acts like I think he should. He wants to talk when I want to stay silent. He wants a night out when I would just as soon have a night in. Sometimes he doesn't say the right thing. Or notice when I need help. I think he should be able to read my mind and I'm offended when he doesn't.
Our first year of marriage was rough. A family tragedy occurred roughly around the same time as our wedding. And though I felt like I handled it fairly well, I still was traumatized to the point that I stuffed a whole lot of feelings down.
I was weighed down with indecision and insecurity.
Plus, The Studly Muffin was a whole lot different than me. My laid-back tendencies annoyed and frustrated him. I couldn't figure out why he couldn't just let me be. He just needed to chill out.
My friends. Little did I know that I would need his intensity and energy in my life. I would need his never failing loyalty. He would need my calmness and positivity.
What a mess we make of things...just by living vicariously through expectation. We don't appreciate the beauty and blessings right in front of us. We are too busy trying to mold life into our own vision of happiness.
By the way, the electrician just popped in and apologized in advance for the crazy noises he is about to create. Princess the cat has disappeared into Josiah's bedroom to hide. She has decided that all this activity is too much for her today.
I don't blame her. I'm thinking a second cup of coffee might be in order.
I have something special for you today.
This might be a tough interview to watch. But, I felt it was so important to talk about trusting God through our sorrows AND learning to life a beautiful life DESPITE of heartache.
I am talking with Debbie today. We actually filmed this interview before Thanksgiving of 2020. I had already had in my heart the "Learning to Life a Beautiful Life" series we are going through now.
My hairstyle is old and I'm rocking a pumpkin graphic tee and I look about 7 feet tall (and as wide) next to Debbie. I'm only 5'4, but Debbie is a tall 4'11. She is, in fact, the same height at my momma.
Debbie is one our faithful Bible Ladies. She would join the rest of us every Wednesday morning at my house for brunch and the Word. She is also our piano player and church and (before Covid) our adult Sunday School at church.
In this video, Debbie tells of navigating the loss of a child. Every parents' worst nightmare. Despite her loss, I have only known Debbie to be sunny, outgoing, and generous. I hope that her story encourages you.
As promised, I am sharing a printable for you with Debbie's favorite Scripture. I know! I told you NO PRINTABLES this series.
Next week, we will be talking about Identity. Do you know who you are in Christ? How do you see yourself? Do you compare yourself with others?
For now, I know you will be blessed with our video today.
It's that time again.
Time for another round of The Bible Ladies Brunch Bunch.
This time I keeping it simple. I am not going to be sharing a yummy brunch recipe with you nor am I going to have a bunch of printables available for your use.
At least, not many. I might get a wild hair and create something late at night when I need something creative to focus my attention on.
Right now, I am just keeping one of my resolutions. I have a tendency to be a little bit "extra." I need some time to be a little better to myself so I am giving myself permission to let some things go.
Anyhoo.
This series of The Bible Ladies Brunch Bunch we are going to talk about how to live a beautiful life. This is something I have discussed, wrote about, and spoke about for years. I decided to create a simple series that can help all of us to be more mindful about living that beautiful life.
Our first topic is Gratitude. I understand that this is a biggie. Many of you don't feel very grateful right now. I, myself, have a list of things that is causing me some anxiety.
However, I completely believe it is the DISCIPLINE of gratitude that makes the difference. Sometimes you gotta "fake it til you make it."
I promised in the video (which you can watch below) that I would provide some of my favorite Gratitude scriptures...appropriate for study and for plastering all over your house.
"Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with
praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast
love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” Ps. 100:4-5
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow
due to change.” James 1:17
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by
prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to
God." Phil 4:6
"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me,
bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his
benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who
redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.”
Ps. 103:1-5
"The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts
in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall
thank Him." Ps. 28:7
"I will praise the name of God with song, and shall
magnify Him with thanksgiving." Ps. 69:30
"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his
steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods, for his
steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his
steadfast love endures forever; to him who alone does great wonders, for his
steadfast love endures forever; to him who by understanding made the heavens,
for his steadfast love endures forever; ..." Ps. 136:1-5
"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that
cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with
reverence and awe, for our "God is a consuming fire." Heb. 12:28-29
"Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor
and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!" Rev. 7:12
Another little note before you watch the video. The sound is ATROCIOUS. I think our external mic needs a little revival. I tried to fix it in editing, but it was just too far gone.
I didn't have time to film another go around. I hope you don't mind attempting to read my lips. I AM SO SORRY!
I promise I will fix it. For now, I hope you are encouraged.
New Year?
Just be aware that I am a tad bit wary of this new year 2021. After all, we started out 2020 with shiny sparkly dreams and hopes for a fantastic year.
I recognize I have been downright terrible with keeping up with the blog.
The truth is that I don't feel good.
Nothing serious. Just the usual troubles of living with chronic illness. I need to hunker down and start this year off with a nitty-gritty, back to the earth "Be Good to Beke" strategy. .
I have decided to approach this year with baby steps.
Getting back to my usual cauli-egg white scramble with garlic and turmeric breakfast.
Soaking in my Epsom salt bath every other night.
No caffeine after 2pm. These late nights are rough on me.
Keeping track of my planner and my meals.
In short, all the things that keep me ticking.
I always enjoy making Resolutions for the New Year. I like to take a step back and look at things critically.
What am I not doing that I need to be?
What is my vision for a room, space, idea, or plan and how can I achieve that vision?
Are there any habits or mental attitudes that are keeping me in an unhealthy space? What can I do to make the changes I need to get where I need to be?
Stay tuned. I'm too skeptical to declare 2021 as my year. But it doesn't hurt to be hopeful.
