The Donut Man

I introduced the Donut Man to the kids this week....this brought sweet memories of my last couple of years living with all my siblings.  My mom would always have the Donut Man tapes, yes I said tapes, playing in the mini-van for my younger siblings to enjoy.  Driving the family with the Donut Man as our soundtrack for the afternoon I found myself singing to the songs just like my mom did! ( the words 'I have become my mother' flashed through my mind)

In that moment I was touched with the simple yet truthful lyrics....lyrics that I believe my mom understood so many years ago with hope that it would sink into her kids heart too.

chorus
Life without Jesus,
Is like a donut,
Like a donut,
Like a donut.
Life without Jesus is like a donut,
Coz there's a hole in the middle of my heart!

Pistachios

 My husband is fortunate to be able to work from home twice a week....he gets to hang out with us!  I am really the one that enjoys having him home twice a week the most! Yesterday without planning it there was this special moment he had with the kids.

 It was heart warming to see them try pistachios for the first time, to see my husband take time to teach them how to split apart the shell while working. Many times I pray that I can  give the kids a memorable, special childhood.  A childhood that they will look back on with fondness. 

  It is the small things that can make some great memories like pistachios. 

Blossoms of my heart

It has been awhile since I posted....as always though I have posts running around in my mind with not enough time to sit down.  I could sit here and tell you how busy we have been or what not but I am not.  Simply put, I have been finding myself doing some house cleaning in my heart.

You know how you start to clean your closet for Spring getting out cooler clothes and putting away Winter items away.  There are times though that you have to go through Winter items or Spring and know that you no longer need that item.  Very similar to that is what I was doing in my heart. As my husband and I are entering into new areas I knew I needed to make room for what God has in store. It became a bit emotional when I had to just release those things I was holding closely.  However even in those moments I was never alone as God's embrace comforted me.

The timing of this as we are in Spring reminded me of how God brings growth into our life allowing us to see  blossoms that are in us.  So as I enjoy all my Easter/Spring decorations I am enjoying knowing that in my heart I am ready for new blossoms that I am seeing emerge in my heart.

Fashion 'wants' detox

I have had the following two thouhgts roll around my thoughts lately:

• Stop signing up for store emails with sales or discounts.  Having those in your inbox will only give you the sense of want for things. If you did not see the emails then you avoid the trap of over spending on unnecessary wants. - Wendy Treat 

• It is only when I go to the mall that I feel like a need a particular shirt but if I stay away then I am content with what I have in my closet. - lady from church

 I find these two comments really valuable.  Many times after opening my inbox I feel like somehow I must go buy the item that is such a good deal.  In reality I would not even think of 'purple pants' from a hip store as a want until it is sitting in my inbox.  I am reminded and encouraged today to continue with the detoxing of stuff so that I can live clean in what God has for me.  Not loosing sight in the sea of ads telling me what to wear but keeping my eyes on Jesus.

Please know that I like to shop for trendy pieces and keep somewhat update but there is balance.  As of now I am finding balance and attempting to look fashionable by a fashion recommendation from Nina Garcia, Fashion Editor - Stick with classic shapes and reuse with accessories to keep updated. I have begun to  do this and I can see that I will save money in the long run.  It is a process to narrow our wants down to our needs, to the desires of our heart.

Many times we think that there is a delay in seeing our dreams fufilled even knowing that God will bring it to pass.  We, I can get lost with all the noise that comes at us distracting me from the real desire in my heart. Let's keep our eyes focused on Jesus....may seem 'out of context' but a good start in focusing our vision is detoxing from the emails or going stores. Simple. Practical.

Thought Transformer - The Biology of Hope

Norman Cousins did considerable research on the power of positive emotions such as joy, laughter, and hope. His book, Head First: The Biology of Hope, relates his ten years in the medical community, particularly on the faculty of the School of Medicine of the University of California.  Cousins held the only honorary degree in medicine awarded at Yale University School of Medicine. In his book, he presents massive scientific evidence of the harmful effects of negative emotions and emphasizes the power of hope, faith, and love to enhance healing. 

A study was done by Dr. Joel Dimsdale on those that survived the Nazi death camps during WWII.  Interviewing a number of survivors, Dr. Dimsdale found one element that towered above everything else.  It was hope.  Each survivor had a picture of the future. One saw himself with his family, another was to enjoy Hanukkah again.  Almost every survivor held to one form or another a blind, naked hope,throwing their thoughts into the future, they used hope like a magnet to draw them to safety.

 Action Steps

1). What does your future look like?  Study your thoughts and remove all the ones that bring you down. 

2). Fill your heart and mind with the promises of God.  Allow them to paint a picture of your future. 

3). During the day relive that picture over and over.  You will find strength and energy emerging inside of you.   

Remember you are God's Best, 

Dr. Rob Carman
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Family 5K

Or didn't you realize that your body is a sacred place, the place of the Holy Spirit? Don't you see that you can't live however you please, squandering what God paid such a high price for?  God owns the whole works. So let people see God in and through your body.  I Corinthians 6:19

This past Saturday our family participated in ONEchapel's first annual “Run for the ONE” 5K “fun run” at Town Lake. The focus on this first run was getting together to highlight exercise, fitness, determination and fun.  It began with my husband wanting to run the 5K while the kids and I cheered on the sidelines.  Along with cheering on my husband, my parents, my brother and sisters participated so this was a full family event.

Once we got there though the kids wanted to participate.  To see all the other runners inspired us to go for it and walk the course.  I have to say how proud I am of the kids!  They got to experience first hand pushing through and finishing. They were tired half way and complained but there was no other choice to finish.  As they saw the finish they gained some energy to make it to the end in high spirits.  As we stayed we cheered those that were coming from the half marathon to the finish line which was another great lesson for them to experience.

So in our continuous effort of eating healthy we have bumped it up a level to include many more 5Ks in our future!

Measuring stick of life.

Most things come and go for seasons. Let this question be a measuring stick, a rule….

Verses to ponder on:

Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can.                Ecclesiastes 3:11-12 (NLT)

 There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.                                      Philippians 1:6 (MSG)

Many of you already know that we go through seasons of change.  In those seasons of change we may experience change, many emotions or victories. But the thought I am poising today is to not loose sight, God  is our focus!

He is with us guiding us through the big picture He has set out for us!