Do we turn our heads or try to help?

God calls for us to stand up for what is right and to help those hurting, hungry, and lost. Do we turn our heads to orphans? Widows? The lost? Or do we try to find a way to help or offer support to those willing to go the distance to help. It is sad to think of the hurting people in the world not to mention that in a day like today there is human trafficking going on. I just saw a show last week about how people can get a Mail Order Bride. Really? Not to mention the actual trafficking of women and children for sex. http://www.thea21campaign.org/

My heart is happy to the idea of a college friend of mine going this weekend to Ethiopia to rescue an orphan and that she is now a daughter to a happy family, even better she is going with 3 other couples to pick up children. It isn’t that she can’t have children, but is that she wants to obey God and rescue a child and give that child a hope and future and teach her to love our God!

Our church even donates the cost for one of Children’s Cups houses in Africa. This does the heart good knowing that $2,000 of our money can run a school for a year. http://www.childrenscup.org/

"For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

"Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you!" (Isaiah 49:15, NLT)

FRIENDS ~ A Time, A Season, or A Lifetime

True friends are really hard to find these days in busyness of life. I have found it easy to get my feelings hurt by friends, but then I try to stop and think that we are all human and make mistakes. As a true friend we should forgive and move on. I am very thankful for the friends that I have made throughout my life. Some came in my life just when I needed them the most. They might not have stayed in constant contact, but in the end I know we are friends, if I need something or to talk, I know I can. Those are really true friends. I do enjoy with fb that I can keep a watchful eye on their lives and sort of keep up with what is going on in their lives.

I think some of us as woman get caught up in gossip and enjoy tearing each other down. Really we should be there to lift each other up and try to speak positive words into their lives. If you find a friend discouraged or complaining – try to point out the positive in her life. Also do you feel yourself as a giver or taker in friendships? I feel like I am more of a giver… Today try to think if you are the one that calls, sends emails/texts first? What do you add to your friendships? Positive contribuites?

Also I think as a friend we should look for those that look friendless, widows, and the elderly. Try today to reach out to a friend…

Philippians 2:4, "Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too." (NLT)

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." John 13:34 (NIV)

What a wife should be!

Proverbs 31: 9b-31
The Wife of Noble Character

A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.
6 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
"Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate

Has God had to PUSH you lately?

I am personally a creature of habit to a very high extent. I think God shows us certain things and when we don’t act, he might sometimes have to PUSH us out of our comfort zone. I recently had it happen a couple of months ago when switching daycares. It hurt me deeply to think about changing my child from everything he had known his entire life. I think God knew I wasn’t happy with his daycare not being lead by Christians and not teaching my child about Him or even simply blessing the food before they ate. I saw a lot of things that bothered me but then again I am a creature of habit and the idea of change hurts deep within. I guess I could write a book about how I got that area of lifetime changes. In the end, I see where God had to PUSH me out of my comfort zone to get me in a place that is so much better for myself and my child. I love how he really knows Jesus more and talks about Him and his creations.

I am also witnessing God pushing a friend right now over a job. She has known she needed to change her job, but I guess never got around to it just yet. Well now I really believe God is giving her a Push to get her into another area of her life. It hurts seeing her upset, but it reminds me of God’s faithfulness and the joy that comes after the storm of change.

The point:

How often do we truly pray for God to guide our life and then listen to what he has to say, or are we stubborn and he has to PUSH us into the area he wants us to. In the end his best shines through, and we need to remember to Thank Him for it!

Also when changes occur how often to we doubt?

"You of little faith, why did you doubt?" (Matthew 14:31) "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not on your own understanding." (Proverbs 3:5)

Treasure every day and your time with loved ones!

    The past couple of months I have said good bye to a special loved one and seen a very special person to me fight illnesses and continue to be blessed with another day. We are not promised tomorrow. We should treasure every day we have and enjoy every moment we spend with loved ones. This world has gotten so busy! I feel like there is always way more to do, even as I finish things off my to do list.

Teach us to number our days ~ that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12

     My aunt was given that her days were truly numbered about a year and a half ago. I saw her take those words and run to enjoy life! She had a great laugh & smile! She truly enjoyed every moment of life – even thru the pain. May we take her outlook on life and try to find enjoyment and time with family every day we live! May we also try to do at least 1 thing to show kindness and God’s love to at least 1 person a day!

    My Granny has been fighting illnesses since November! Could you imagine stepping out of your house 1 day and not going back for about 3 months! She was even in multiple organ failure and now is ready to get out of bed so she can get home! It is amazing the miracles God has blessed my Granny with. She says God has blessed her in more ways than she can imagine. It is a blessing to see all the family that stands beside her and prayed for her. We really need to take every day as a blessing. We are not promised a tomorrow here on earth – just many more in heaven! She is a true example of how God hears our prayers. Her healing makes her a witness of God answering prayers, she says words do not need to be spoken – they can see it with their own eyes! I have seen many doctors lately standing in awe of her. She gives all healing as a miracle from God.

Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest. Mark 6:31

Life has a never ending to do list. As a female, mom, and wife, I think our to-do list is endless. We always need to find time to rest and realize that true rest comes when we stop and spend a few moments with our Heavenly Father! I believe when we do this we get strength and rest like never before. May I try to do this more!!!

starting out slow...

I am daily trying to get a little extra done and trying to find a little drawer or cabinet to slowly go through. As usual, once we really on track with life ~ the devil will attack. Two of my closest family members do not have good health, 1 is barely hanging on, and when going through trials... you really see the friends that check in on you, see if you need anything, or simply just let you know they are thinking about you.... Those things really mean the most... and in these times you see the TRUE friends... I guess God was just allowing me 1 thing on my simplify life list of Friends...

2012 ~ The year to Simplify!

Happy New Year

2012 ~ The year to Simplify!

I was already pondering a focus for this upcoming year.

2011 wasn’t a bad year for me. I received many blessings and enjoyed making memories with my family. So what to look forward to for 2012? Then I checked a blog email and saw the word ~ SIMPLIFY. Yes! That has been my goal but now I have a cute name for it.

I have already tried hard this year to stay out of the stores. My insides are telling me that there are many sales that I need to go find. But if I am honest with myself: Do I need clothes? no. Is there honestly anything I NEED – not want? no I have come across friends recently that are honestly just broke. It makes me see that I am truly blessed beyond measure. Yes a lot of it comes from me wheeling and dealing and coupons, etc., but over all at the end of the day I am blessed!

There are many ways I need to simplify ~

FRIENDS:

TIME:

SPENDING:

CLUTTER:

THOUGHTS:

And the list goes on! Not to mention there are many categories to each listed above.